Daily Discipleship Guide Discipleship Daily UNDERSTAND EXPLOREUNDERSTAND APPLY

Isaiah Resources Christian LifeWay 2020 Fall 2020 | CSB Fall © Daily Discipleship Guide Discipleship Daily UNDERSTAND EXPLOREUNDERSTAND APPLY

EXPLORE THE BIBLE • ADULTS ISAIAH DAILY DISCIPLESHIP GUIDE • FALL 2020 JESUS

Seven centuries before the birth of Jesus, the prophet Isaiah described Him in detail. Isaiah wrote about one who would be “despised and rejected by men” (Isa. 53:3), “pierced because of our rebellion,” and “crushed because of our iniquities” (v. 5). The one of whom Isaiah prophesied would die not as a martyr but as our substitute, “for the iniquity of us all” (v. 6). In other words, He would suffer the punishment that we deserve for our sins and suffer judgment in our place. He would do so willingly to provide the way of salvation for sinful people.

Jesus was no afterthought of God nor a “Plan B.” God made a plan for our salvation even before the foundation of the world and predicted it clearly through the prophet Isaiah. This salvation, however, is not automatic. Only the one who “calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Rom. 10:13).

Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). He is waiting for you now.

• Admit to God that you are a sinner. Repent, turning away from your sin.

• By faith receive Jesus Christ as God’s Son and accept Jesus’ gift of forgiveness from sin. He took the penalty for your sin by dying on the cross.

• Confess your faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. You may pray a prayer similar to this as you call on God to save you: “Dear God, I know that You love me. I confess my sin and need of salvation. I turn away from my sin and place my faith in Jesus as my Savior and Lord. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.”

After you have received Jesus Christ into your life, tell a pastor or another Christian about your decision. Show others your faith in Christ by asking for baptism by immersion in your local church as a public expression of your faith.

Bible Reading Plan ...... 6

Memory Verses ...... 7

Introduction to Isaiah...... 8

Using the Daily Discipleship Guide...... 10

Leader Helps...... 116

Visual Ideas ...... 160

Coming Next Quarter...... 162

SESSIONS

SUGGESTED FOR THE WEEK OF

Sept. 6 Session 1: God Confronts (Isa . 1:10-20) ...... 12 Leader Helps on page 121

Sept. 13 Session 2: God Sends (Isa . 6:1-13) ...... 20 Leader Helps on page 124

Sept. 20 Session 3: God Promises (Isa . 7:7-17) ...... 28 Leader Helps on page 127

Sept. 27 Session 4: God Reigns (Isa . 23:8-18) ...... 36 Leader Helps on page 130

Oct. 4 Session 5: God Saves (Isa . 25:1-10a) ...... 44 Leader Helps on page 133

Oct. 11 Session 6: God Protects (Isa . 31:1-9) ...... 52 Leader Helps on page 136

Oct. 18 Session 7: God Listens (Isa . 37:14-20,30-35) ...... 60 Leader Helps on page 139

Oct. 25 Session 8: God Renews (Isa . 40:18-31) ...... 68 Leader Helps on page 142

Nov. 1 Session 9: God Acts (Isa . 46:3-13) ...... 76 Leader Helps on page 145

Nov. 8 Session 10: God Comforts (Isa . 49:1-13) ...... 84 Leader Helps on page 148

Nov. 15 Session 11: God Justifies* (Isa . 53:1-12) ...... 92 Leader Helps on page 151

Nov. 22 Session 12: God Expects (Isa . 58:1-12) ...... 100 Leader Helps on page 154

Nov. 29 Session 13: God Restores (Isa . 65:17-25) ...... 108 Leader Helps on page 157 *Evangelistic Emphasis

Le Shon Archer teaches adult Bible Study Blake Hearson is associate professor of at Friendship Baptist Church in Yorba Old Testament and Hebrew at Midwestern Linda, California, and has served as a Bible Theological Seminary in Kansas City, teacher for 20 years . Missouri .

Terry J. Betts is Professor of Old Dwayne McCrary is the team leader for Testament Interpretation at The Southern Explore the Bible at LifeWay Christian Baptist Theological Seminary . Resources in Nashville, Tennessee .

Rob Evans is the senior pastor of Dry Nikki Wilbanks is a stay-at-home mom, Ponds Baptist Church in Granite Falls, writer, and Bible study teacher . North Carolina .

Explore the Bible: Daily Discipleship Guide (ISSN 2574-4402; Item 005794512) is published quarterly by Daily Discipleship Guide LifeWay Christian Resources, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234, Ben Mandrell, President. Fall 2020 © 2020 LifeWay Christian Resources. Volume 7, Number 1 For ordering or inquiries visit lifeway.com, or write LifeWay Resources Customer Service, One LifeWay Dwayne McCrary Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234-0113. For bulk shipments mailed quarterly to one address, email orderentry@ Team Leader lifeway.com, fax (615) 251-5933, or write to the above address. Ken Braddy We believe that the Bible has God for its author; salvation for its end; and truth, without any mixture of Manager, Adult Ongoing Bible Studies error, for its matter and that all Scripture is totally true and trustworthy. To review LifeWay’s doctrinal Brandon Hiltibidal guideline, please visit lifeway.com/doctrinalguideline. The Key Doctrine statements in this study guide are Director, Groups Ministry adapted from these guidelines. Send questions/comments to Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright team leader by email: © 2020 by Holman Bible Publishers®. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are [email protected] federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers. or by mail to: Scripture quotations marked ESV are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) Explore The Bible: Daily Discipleship Guide copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved. One Lifeway Plaza, MSN 175 Scripture quotations marked KJV are from the Holy Bible, King James Version. Scripture quotations marked Nashville, TN 37234-0175 NIV are from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Printed in the United States of America Inc.® Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com. Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. The suggestions for pronouncing Bible names are from That’s Easy for You to Say: Your Quick Guide to Pronouncing Bible Names by W. Murray Severance, © 1997 by Broadman & Holman Publishers. Used by permission.

In Acts 8, we find Philip’s encounter with The Book of Isaiah is filled with an Ethiopian official . As Philip approached insights about the nature of God and the official, he heard the man reading our relationship with Him . Part of this from Isaiah, so Philip asked the official if relationship includes the promise of he understood what he was reading . The God reconciling His people to Himself . official replied that he needed a guide . The message of Isaiah continues to be echoed today . We are sinners facing sure Isaiah had told many years before of One judgment . The sovereign God disciplines who would be pierced and crushed for us with a view toward repentance and our sin so that we could be healed by His relationship with Him through faith wounds (Isa . 53:5) . The healing would be in His Son . required because of sin . Isaiah pointed to a coming judgment against the Israelites As we study the Book of Isaiah, we pray because of that sin and the salvation God that each of us will discover the truth found would provide to those who repented . That by the Ethiopian official: we are sinners in repentance would not come until after need of God’s forgiveness which is found the Israelites were led away as captives . only through the sacrificial death and The exile was more than judgment; it was resurrection of His Son . purposeful discipline designed to help Humbly, people understand their need for God . That Dwayne McCrary realization would lead to repentance and a restored relationship with God .

SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER

❏ 1. Isaiah 1:1-15 ❏ 1. Isaiah 24:1-15 ❏ 1. Isaiah 43:14-28 ❏ 2. Isaiah 1:16-31 ❏ 2. Isaiah 24:16-23 ❏ 2. Isaiah 44:1-20 ❏ 3. Isaiah 2:1-11 ❏ 3. Isaiah 25:1-12 ❏ 3. Isaiah 44:21-28 ❏ 4. Isaiah 2:12-22 ❏ 4. Isaiah 26:1-13 ❏ 4. Isaiah 45:1-13 ❏ 5. Isaiah 3:1-15 ❏ 5. Isaiah 26:14-21 ❏ 5. Isaiah 45:14-25 ❏ 6. Isaiah 3:16-26 ❏ 6. Isaiah 27:1-13 ❏ 6. Isaiah 46:1-13 ❏ 7. Isaiah 4:1–5:7 ❏ 7. Isaiah 28:1-13 ❏ 7. Isaiah 47:1-15 ❏ 8. Isaiah 5:8-30 ❏ 8. Isaiah 28:14-29 ❏ 8. Isaiah 48:1-22 ❏ 9. Isaiah 6:1-13 ❏ 9. Isaiah 29:1-14 ❏ 9. Isaiah 49:1-13 ❏ 10. Isaiah 7:1-19 ❏ 10. Isaiah 29:15-24 ❏ 10. Isaiah 49:14-26 ❏ 11. Isaiah 7:20–8:10 ❏ 11. Isaiah 30:1-17 ❏ 11. Isaiah 50:1-11 ❏ 12. Isaiah 8:11-22 ❏ 12. Isaiah 30:18-33 ❏ 12. Isaiah 51:1-11 ❏ 13. Isaiah 9:1-21 ❏ 13. Isaiah 31:1-9 ❏ 13. Isaiah 51:12-23 ❏ 14. Isaiah 10:1-19 ❏ 14. Isaiah 32:1-20 ❏ 14. Isaiah 52:1-15 ❏ 15. Isaiah 10:20-34 ❏ 15. Isaiah 33:1-16 ❏ 15. Isaiah 53:1-12 ❏ 16. Isaiah 11:1-16 ❏ 16. Isaiah 33:17-24 ❏ 16. Isaiah 54:1-17 ❏ 17. Isaiah 12:1-6 ❏ 17. Isaiah 34:1-17 ❏ 17. Isaiah 55:1-13 ❏ 18. Isaiah 13:1-22 ❏ 18. Isaiah 35:1-10 ❏ 18. Isaiah 56:1-12 ❏ 19. Isaiah 14:1-23 ❏ 19. Isaiah 36:1-22 ❏ 19. Isaiah 57:1-21 ❏ 20. Isaiah 14:24-32 ❏ 20. Isaiah 37:1-20 ❏ 20. Isaiah 58:1-14 ❏ 21. Isaiah 15:1-9 ❏ 21. Isaiah 37:21-38 ❏ 21. Isaiah 59:1-21 ❏ 22. Isaiah 16:1-14 ❏ 22. Isaiah 38:1-14 ❏ 22. Isaiah 60:1-22 ❏ 23. Isaiah 17:1-14 ❏ 23. Isaiah 38:15-22 ❏ 23. Isaiah 61:1-11 ❏ 24. Isaiah 18:1-7 ❏ 24. Isaiah 39:1-8 ❏ 24. Isaiah 62:1-12 ❏ 25. Isaiah 19:1-15 ❏ 25. Isaiah 40:1-17 ❏ 25. Isaiah 63:1-19 ❏ 26. Isaiah 19:16–20:6 ❏ 26. Isaiah 40:18-31 ❏ 26. Isaiah 64:1-12 ❏ 27. Isaiah 21:1-17 ❏ 27. Isaiah 41:1-10 ❏ 27. Isaiah 65:1-16 ❏ 28. Isaiah 22:1-14 ❏ 28. Isaiah 41:11-29 ❏ 28. Isaiah 65:17-25 ❏ 29. Isaiah 22:15-25 ❏ 29. Isaiah 42:1-13 ❏ 29. Isaiah 66:1-13 ❏ 30. Isaiah 23:1-18 ❏ 30. Isaiah 42:14-25 ❏ 30. Isaiah 66:14-24 ❏ 31. Isaiah 43:1-13

Session 1: Session 8: “‘Come, let us settle this,’ says the Lord . “But those who trust in the Lord will renew ‘Though your sins are scarlet, they will be their strength; they will soar on wings as white as snow; though they are crimson like eagles; they will run and not become red, they will be like wool ’. ” — Isaiah 1:18 weary, they will walk and not faint ”. — Isaiah 40:31 Session 2: “Then I heard the voice of the Lord asking: Session 9: Who should I send? Who will go for us? I “I will be the same until your old age, and I said: Here I am . Send me ”. — Isaiah 6:8 will bear you up when you turn gray . I have made you, and I will carry you; I will bear Session 3: and rescue you ”. — Isaiah 46:4 “Therefore, the Lord himself will give you Session 10: a sign: See, the virgin will conceive, have a “Shout for joy, you heavens! Earth, rejoice! son, and name him Immanuel ”. Mountains break into joyful shouts! For the — Isaiah 7:14 Lord has comforted his people, and will Session 4: have compassion on his afflicted ones ”. “The Lord of Armies has sworn: As I have — Isaiah 49:13 purposed, so it will be; as I have planned it, Session 11: so it will happen ”. — Isaiah 14:24 “But he was pierced because of our Session 5: rebellion, crushed because of our “He will destroy death forever . The Lord iniquities; punishment for our peace was God will wipe away the tears from every on him, and we are healed by his wounds ”. face and remove his people’s disgrace from — Isaiah 53:5 the whole earth, for the Lord has spoken ”. Session 12: — Isaiah 25:8 “The Lord will always lead you, satisfy you Session 6: in a parched land, and strengthen your “Therefore the Lord is waiting to show bones . You will be like a watered garden you mercy, and is rising up to show you and like a spring whose water never runs compassion, for the Lord is a just God . All dry ”. — Isaiah 58:11 who wait patiently for him are happy “. Session 13: — Isaiah 30:18 “For I will create a new heaven and a Session 7: new earth; the past events will not be “I will defend this city and rescue it for my remembered or come to mind ”. sake and for the sake of my servant David ”. — Isaiah 65:17 — Isaiah 37:35

Isaiah, whose name means, “the Lord saves,” Israel. When Sennacherib became king of lived and ministered in Jerusalem from Assyria, Hezekiah of Judah withheld tribute about 740–700 BC. According to Jewish to Assyria. Sennacherib invaded Judah, but tradition, Isaiah’s father, Amoz, was the in fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy, the Lord brother of King Amaziah, who ruled Judah Himself defeated the invaders. Nevertheless, from 821–767 BC. If so, the prophet would Hezekiah’s pride led to an ominous prophecy have been King Uzziah’s cousin. New that dominates the second part of the book: Testament writers attribute the authorship the Babylonian invasion and exile. However, of the Book of Isaiah to one person: Isaiah. Isaiah also foretold Babylon’s defeat and (See John 12:37-41.) Judah’s return home.

Some modern scholars, however, have The themes of the Book of Isaiah include: argued there were at least two writers. These scholars appeal to differences in style • God is the holy one of Israel, and Israel and emphasis between chapters 1–39 and is His holy people who worship in 40–60, along with the varying perspectives Jerusalem, God’s holy city. from both the pre-exilic and post-exilic • God is incomparable; no one is like Him. periods. Much of their issue with an eighth • The Servant of the Lord will bring century prophet is their presupposition salvation to Israel and the nations. He that predictive prophecy is impossible. They will establish justice, righteousness, believe it impossible for an eighth-century and peace. prophet to predict the rise and fall of Babylon or to know the name of Cyrus over • The trustworthiness of God and the one hundred and fifty years before he lived. unreliability of all others; However, a major theme of Isaiah is God’s • The demise of the wicked but hope and ability to know the future, reveal it through deliverance for the faithful; Isaiah’s His prophets, and bring it to pass. message warns people of God’s judgment and exhorts them to trust in His Isaiah’s public ministry occurred during salvation. the expansion of the Assyrian Empire. The Assyrians threatened Israel and Syria, so these kingdoms organized a coalition to stand against Assyria. When they tried to enlist Judah to join the coalition, Judah refused. Therefore, Israel and Syria invaded Judah. Upon Judah’s appeal for help, the Assyrians conquered Syria and subjugated

I. Rebuke and Promise from the Lord (1:1–6:13)

II. The Promise of Immanuel (7:1–12:6)

III. Coming Judgment upon the Nations (13:1–23:18)

IV. F irst Cycle of General Judgment and Promise (24:1–27:13)

V. Woes upon the Unbelievers of Israel (28:1–33:24)

VI. Second Cycle of General Judgment and Promise (34:1–39:8)

VII. The Greatness of God (40:1–48:22)

VIII. Peace Brought by the Servant-Messiah (49:1–57:21)

IX. The Program of Peace (58:1–66:24)

ON THE COVER Miniature column base in the form of a human-headed winged animal, probably a part of a piece of furniture; Assyrian, 7th century BC, from Nineveh. The prophet Isaiah saw a vision of winged, angelic beings (seraphim) attending God’s throne and offering praises to Him (Isa. 6:2).

Follower. Adherent. Loyalist. Attached. Allegiant. Zealous. Disciple. Jesus’ call is the same to all people: to follow Him as a disciple. He expects more than a courteous nod. He deserves more than intellectual agreement. He calls us to be disciples—growing disciples. How do we do that?

In Brad Waggoner’s Shape of Faith to Come (2008), he identified the discipline of “daily Bible engagement” as the number-one predictor of a person’s spiritual growth. Daily implies a discipline much like exercising, brushing teeth, or eating a certain number of calories EVERY day. Should we be any different when it comes to our spiritual training? The focus is the Bible, God’s Word. There is nothing wrong with knowing the thoughts of great philosophers, leaders, or theologians, but they must not replace God’s Word. Engagement implies participating in the act of reading, studying, and reflecting. Engagement is active, requiring us to do something.

Your Daily Discipleship Guide is full of tools to help you grow as a disciple. But like any tool, you have to use it to get the benefit.

• Use this resource when studying with a group. The first five pages of each session help the group leader introduce a Bible passage and move you toward acting on the truths discovered. • Use the Daily Exploration pages to go deeper into God’s Word, building on your group’s study experience. Engage in daily Bible study, record your thoughts, reflect on the questions, and take action. • Use the Talk It Out section at the end of each session to hold yourself and others accountable by meeting in a smaller group of same-sex individuals (an accountability group). Share with the smaller group what God has been teaching you through the group time and your personal daily Bible study. • Use the resource every week even when you are unable to attend the group’s Bible study. Missing a group Bible study does not excuse you from being engaged daily with God through His Word. Use the Daily Discipleship Guide to move forward in your spiritual growth.

Want this resource on your phone or tablet for when you are on the go? Purchase an eBook in the Explore the Bible APP (available through GooglePlay and the iTunes Store) or at LifeWay.com.

Talk It Out, found at the end of each session, supports groups of three or four people who come together weekly to encourage, share, build up, and sharpen each other. While other issues may be addressed, the Talk It Out section provides a few directed questions based on the previous group experience and daily Bible engagement suggestions to start the weekly conversation.

These groups are made up of three to four people…

• Participants should be of the same gender. • These groups should be smaller on purpose. • These groups can meet at almost any location. • These groups can easily accommodate each other’s schedules.

…Who meet weekly…

• Life happens weekly, so meeting weekly is important. • There is nothing like sitting across from friends over coffee, a meal, or dessert. • In some cases, your smaller group may need to meet using technology that allows for video conferencing. • You may find it best to meet face-to-face every other week or once a month and use virtual tools the other weeks.

…To hold each other accountable and encourage each other in their spiritual growth.

• Review the questions in Talk It Out. • You may focus on one question more than others. • Include time to pray for each other.

ISAIAH 1:10-20 01

12 EXPLORE THE BIBLE © 2020 LifeWay Christian Resources When have you ever taken a relationship for granted? How did it affect the relationship? Were you able to do anything to get the relationship back on track?

Paying bills, going to the grocery store, getting the car serviced—our days are filled with mundane tasks that we carry out on automatic pilot without much thought. Sometimes, church and devotions fall into a repetitive rut. Even relationships can become stale and fade into the background of routine. As a result, the failure of a relationship can catch us off guard.

UNDERSTAND THE CONTEXT Isaiah 1:1–4:6 lays the groundwork for Isaiah’s Such is the case with us. God never abandons entire message. Here, Isaiah contrasted the His children but lovingly confronts us and, sin and rebellion of Judah in his day to their if need be, disciplines us so we will return future of blessedness and holiness in the last to Him. Whatever God does to bring us days. After briefly mentioning the kings who to Himself is an act of loving kindness, no reigned during his ministry, Isaiah described matter how difficult His discipline may seem. Judah’s sinful ways like a prosecuting attorney with overwhelming evidence. We The good news is that God’s announcement see a picture of a people who had abandoned of judgment was not His only message. Even God. Though God had raised them, provided though His people’s present situation was for them, and cared for them in every way dreadful, their future was bright. God was as a loving father would his children, with going to once again establish His temple, ingratitude they rebelled against Him (Isa. people from every nation would stream 1:2). They were worse than oxen or donkeys to it to worship the Lord and receive His who at least know who feeds them (1:3). instruction, and there would be peace (2:1-4). On that day, the Branch of the Lord, Jesus God was using loving discipline to draw His Christ, will be beautiful and glorious among people back to Himself, yet they stubbornly them, the people of God will be called holy, refused to return (1:5-9). Instead of trusting and their names will be written in the book in the Lord, the people of Judah placed their of life because the Lord has washed away trust in material things, military heroes, their sin (4:1-6). renowned leaders, and spiritual gurus. Therefore, God would remove their false sources of security so they might recognize their futility (3:1-3). Young and old, male and female, all would bear the consequences of their arrogant sin (3:5-26).

DATE OF MY BIBLE STUDY: 13 © 2020 LifeWay Christian Resources ISAIAH 1:10-20 10 Hear the word of the Lord, you rulers of Passage Outline Sodom ! Listen to the instruction of our God, you Empty Rituals people of Gomorrah! 11 “What are all your sacrifices (Isa. 1:10-15) to me?” asks the Lord. “I have had enough of burnt True Followers offerings and rams and the fat of well-fed cattle; (Isa. 1:16-17) I have no desire for the blood of bulls, lambs, or Repentance Required 12 male goats. When you come to appear before (Isa. 1:18-20) me, who requires this from you—this trampling 13 of my courts? Stop bringing useless offerings. Key Words Your incense is detestable to me. New Moons and Sabbaths, and the calling of solemn assemblies—I A. Isaiah compared Judah cannot stand iniquity with a festival. 14 I hate your and Jerusalem to Sodom and Gomorrah, two cities New Moons and prescribed festivals. They have God had destroyed for become a burden to me; I am tired of putting up their iniquity (Gen. 19:24; with them. 15 When you spread out your hands in Ezek. 16:49-50). prayer, I will refuse to look at you; even if you offer B. In Deuteronomy 1:12 countless prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are Moses stated, “How can I covered with blood. 16 “Wash yourselves. Cleanse bear your troubles, yourselves. Remove your evil deeds from my sight. burdens, and disputes by myself?” Stop doing evil. 17 Learn to do what is good. Pursue justice. Correct the oppressor. Defend the C. To wash oneself from sin rights of the fatherless. Plead the widow’s cause. (Isa. 4:4). 18 “Come, let us settle this,” says the Lord. “Though D. To teach in the sense your sins are scarlet, they will be as white as snow; of training. In Hosea though they are crimson red, they will be like wool. 10:11, Ephraim was trained like a heifer by a 19 If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the yoke and goad. good things of the land. 20 But if you refuse and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.” For the E. Th e children of Israel went to Moses to “seek” mouth of the Lord has spoken. (ESV, NIV, NLT) the Lord’s understanding (Ex. 18:15). F. O bedience requires our “consent” (NASB). David wasn’t willing to go with Absalom (2 Sam. 13:25).

14 EXPLORE THE BIBLE © 2020 LifeWay Christian Resources EXPLORE THE TEXT Isaiah began with a scathing indictment Taken together, the three sets of commands in verse 10. By saying, you rulers of Sodom signify authentic repentance and true and you people of Gomorrah, Isaiah was devotion to the Lord. The washing and communicating how utterly depraved cleansing of themselves called for sincere Judah’s ways had been and how serious repentance so that there no longer would be the consequences of such sin were. Verse 9 a disconnect between their hearts and their reveals that were it not for the Lord’s mercy, acts of worship. The authenticity of their Judah might have been completely wiped repentance would be demonstrated by their out like Sodom and Gomorrah. (See Gen. actions: turn away from their sinful ways, 19:23-25.) The Lord confronted His people learn what God’s will is, and do it. about their sacrifices. He was quite clear about what He thought of their sacrifices: If being devoted to God in faithful They meant nothing to Him; they added obedience does not earn our salvation, nothing to Him; and they did nothing for then why is it necessary for believers to Him. When a person comes before the Lord be faithfully obedient to God? with an insincere heart and selfish motives, it KEY DOCTRINE: Salvation. is unacceptable “worship” to God. Acceptable Repentance is a genuine turning worship involves approaching the Lord on His from sin toward God (Isa 55:7). terms. The Lord emphatically commanded the people to stop bringing their offerings to God invited His sinful people to come to the temple because they were meaningless Him in repentance and faith. He promised and detestable to Him. to cleanse them of all their sin. The Lord confronted His people with a choice: either BIBLE SKILL: Compare related repent, obey, and enjoy God’s blessing, or passages. Compare Exodus 20:8-11 refuse and rebel and suffer the consequences. and Deuteronomy 5:12-15. What reasons are given for celebrating How does God take the initiative today the Sabbath in these verses? How to bring people into a relationship with are the reasons different and how Him? How does His approach today are they the same? What do these compare with the approach found in verses reveal about God’s desires? Isaiah 1? How does this compare to what we find in Isaiah 1?

What are causes and ways believers today may fall into a pattern of unacceptable worship of the Lord? What warnings should we draw from Judah’s mistakes?

15 © 2020 LifeWay Christian Resources APPLY THE TEXT • Relying on religious rituals alone falls short when approaching the holy God. • God expects His followers to demonstrate righteousness and justice. • God offers forgiveness to those who repent.

Ask God to examine your heart and to reveal any sin in your life that might be hindering your worship of Him. What actions do you need to take in response to what God shows you?

On a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being completed, how would you rate how well you do the nine commands found in verses 16 and 17? What do you need to do to more completely follow these commands?

Discuss as a group the difference it should make to believers as they go through their daily routine to remember that our sins are forgiven and have been made “white as snow.” Begin to memorize Isaiah 1:18.

Prayer Requests

Read Isaiah 1:10, underlining the words hear and listen. The words hear and listen both mean “hear and obey.” So the message is straightforward. The people needed to hear and obey the Word of God. Verse 10 contains several personal elements.

Lord, often denoted as Yahweh from Hebrew, is God’s personal, covenantal name. Israel was Yahweh’s treasured possession and holy nation, devoted for God’s personal mission of blessing all other nations. God chose Israel to be a conduit of blessing for every people group on the earth.

The expressionour God emphasizes that while the other nations had a multiplicity of gods, Yahweh was Israel’s God, the one and only God.

The wordinstruction is the Hebrew word tora, and even though it is authoritative, it has the idea of affectionate personal instruction, such as what a parent would share with a son or daughter.

Why do you think God started this passage with the firm instruction to listen? In what areas of your life is God calling you to listen and heed His Word?

Day 2: Insincere sacrifices are offensive to God.

Read Isaiah 1:11-12, noting God’s frustration with their sacrifices. Sacrifices were meant to be outward expressions of true commitment to the Lord. God knows what is in the heart of every person, and He knows when a sacrifice is offered insincerely. Outward formality cannot hide degenerate hearts. This verse is reminiscent of 1 Samuel 15:22, “Does the Lord take pleasure in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the Lord? Look: to obey is better than sacrifice, to pay attention is better than the fat of rams.”

The fat of well-fed cattle represents offering to God one’s best, and the blood represents devotion to God. But it was all a sham. The people were blemished with sin and absent of true devotion to God. It would be like offering a gift to a spouse who knows the one giving the gift is cheating on him or her. Instead of being a blessing, the gift would be offensive because of the infidelity. Similarly, their sacrifices were offensive to God.

Why didn’t God take pleasure in the Israelites’ sacrifices? How might our sacrifices be offensive to God?

Read Isaiah 1:13-15, considering how their festivals may have become irreverent. The New Moons festival consecrated each new month to the Lord by expressing to Him repentance, devotion, and fellowship. The institution of the Sabbath was so important that it was included as the fourth commandment (Ex. 20:8-11). Israel was required to cease from all work and rest because the Lord rested on the seventh day of creation. The Sabbath was a sign of the covenant the Lord made with Israel (Ex. 31:12) and reminded the people of their deliverance from slavery in Egypt (Deut. 5:15). Keeping the Sabbath was meant to provide a designated, focused time to worship the Lord, as David demonstrated in Psalm 92.

Other prescribed festivals included Passover, the Day of Atonement, and the Feast of Tabernacles. God instituted these holy days as times for Israel to celebrate God’s wondrous acts and blessings upon them and to express their gratitude, love, and devotion to Him. Instead, they turned them into something repulsive. The people worshiped the Lord with their lips, but their hearts were far from Him. (See Isa. 29:13; Matt. 15:8.)

Consequently, when the people spread out their hands in prayer, God would refuse to look at them. When the Lord shines His face upon His people and looks at them, it is a way of expressing His favor. To refuse to look at them was His way of saying He was withdrawing His blessing from them.

What are ways you may fall into a pattern of unacceptable worship of the Lord? What warnings should you draw from Judah’s mistakes?

Day 4: We demonstrate our love of God through faithful obedience.

Read Isaiah 1:16-17, numbering the nine commands listed. The Lord gave nine commands for the people to correct their ways and demonstrate they were true followers of God. These commands were not given to secure salvation but to demonstrate the authenticity of their salvation. The first three deal with the inward removal of sin. The second three address outward devotion to Yahweh. The last three pertain to relationships with others, showing how true repentance would affect how they related to others. Instead of being the oppressors, they would oppose oppressors. Also, they would champion the cause of those who could not care for themselves, such as the fatherless and widows.

If being devoted to God in faithful obedience does not earn our salvation, then why is it necessary for you to be faithfully obedient to God?

Read Isaiah 1:18-20, identifying God’s request. The Lord takes no pleasure in disciplining His children. It is necessary for their correction, but He would rather enjoy them in sweet fellowship. If their sins are scarlet, they will be made white, non-existent. Here, the Lord made clear that He alone can cleanse us of sin. When He calls us to wash and cleanse ourselves, that washing and cleansing can happen only when we come to Him in sincere repentance (v. 16).

The Lord Jesus Christ graciously and mercifully calls to us: Whosoever will, come to Me, and I forgive you, cleanse you, and give you abundant, eternal life. Reject Me and spend eternity separated from Me. It is a choice every person must make. The Lord offers forgiveness and cleansing to all who repent—to the lost who needs salvation and to believers who seek restored fellowship with Christ (1 John 1:9).

How does God take the initiative to bring you into a relationship with Him? How does His approach today compare with the approach found in Isaiah 1?

TALK IT OUT Reflect on the truths found in Isaiah 1, sharing with other members of your Bible study group.

What thoughts come to mind when you hear the words worthless, burdensome, and meaningless? What thoughts come to mind when you hear these words as descriptors For additional context, of worship? read “Isaiah’s Messianic Prophecies,” an archived When have you seen godly actions being well displayed Biblical Illustrator article in a person’s life or in a church? provided via digital download in the Fall Through Isaiah God foretold the outcome of obedience 2020 Explore the Bible and of rebellion. How can we correlate these outcomes Leader Pack. to our daily choices?

ISAIAH 6:1-13 02

Each branch of the U.S. military has some form of saying, “Never volunteer for anything.” However, when Isaiah had an encounter with the King, the Lord of the Armies, he quickly volunteered to take on the mission God had for him. That’s what happens when a person experiences what Isaiah did. The Lord revealed Himself to Isaiah in a vision, and in this vision Isaiah recognized his sin and need for a Savior. The Lord cleansed him of his sin and then called him to service. When the Lord reveals Himself to us and saves us from our sin, the proper and appropriate response is Isaiah’s response, “Here I am. Send me.”

UNDERSTAND THE CONTEXT Isaiah concluded his introduction of the Then Isaiah marshaled six woes against book with a song of indictment against the these unfaithful people. The word woe residents of Jerusalem and all the people of was spoken in times of mourning with the Judah, followed by six “woes” against these death of a loved one, expressing grief and unfaithful people. The song is about Isaiah’s bereavement. When the Lord’s prophets “loved one” who had a vineyard. This loved used this expression it was the foretelling of one worked hard to do everything he could to extreme divine judgment. Instead of being produce a productive vineyard. He expected like the death angel of the first Passover in a harvest of good grapes, but instead he got Egypt who passed them by, this time death worthless grapes. Then, the Lord revealed He was knocking at their door with no escape. is the owner and vinedresser of the vineyard. The judgment of God is inevitable. He said He would remove everything He built as a protection for His vineyard and it The sins that brought on these woes would be laid waste as the Lord causes it to summarize God’s charges against His cease raining on it. The meaning of the song people: greed and socioeconomic oppression, is the Lord’s vineyard in which He delighted careless carousing, spiritual blindness, is the people of Israel and Judah. He expected the exploitation of others in the justice from them justice and righteousness, but all system, the perversion of morality, and the He saw was injustice, bloodshed, and cries arrogance of thinking they are wiser than of despair. Accordingly, these wicked people the Lord. Consequently, the Lord in His can expect divine judgment (Isa. 5:1-7). judgment would turn their sins back upon them (5:6-30).

1 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated Passage Outline on a high and lofty throne, and the hem of his robe filled God’s Glory the temple. 2 Seraphim were standing above him; they (Isa. 6:1-4) each had six wings: with two they covered their faces , God’s Forgiveness with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. (Isa. 6:5-7) 3 And one called to another: Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of God’s Call Armies ; his glory fills the whole earth.4 The foundations (Isa. 6:8-10) of the doorways shook at the sound of their voices, and the temple was filled with smoke. 5 Then I said:Woe is me for God’s Persistence (Isa. 6:11-13) I am ruined because I am a man of unclean lips and live among a people of unclean lips, and because my eyes have Key Words seen the King , the Lord of Armies. 6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me, and in his hand was a glowing coal A. L iterally “the burning that he had taken from the altar with tongs. 7 He touched ones,” Isaiah envisioned my mouth with it and said: Now that this has touched your the seraphim as agents of God who prepared him lips, your iniquity is removed and your sin is atoned for. to proclaim the Lord’s 8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord asking: Who should I message to Judah. send? Who will go for us? I said: Here I am. Send me. 9 And B. God’s holiness can’t he replied: Go! Say to these people : Keep listening, but be looked upon by His do not understand; keep looking, but do not perceive. creation. 10 Make the minds of these people dull; deafen their ears C. This military phrase and blind their eyes; otherwise they might see with their signifies God is actively eyes and hear with their ears, understand with their minds, warring against sin. turn back, and be healed. 11 Then I said, “Until when, D. As sinful humankind Lord?” And he replied: Until cities lie in ruins without stands before Holy God, inhabitants, houses are without people, the land is ruined our sin becomes more and desolate, 12 and the Lord drives the people far away, evident (Gen. 3:7-8; Rom. 3:23). leaving great emptiness in the land. 13 Though a tenth will remain in the land, it will be burned again. Like the E. Th e King is God. Yet, it’s terebinth or the oak that leaves a stump when felled, the unthinkable to see God holy seed is the stump. (Gen. 32:30; Ex. 19:21; 33:20; Judg. 13:22). F. They had ears and eyes that didn’t seem to work— for they continuously disregarded God.

22 EXPLORE THE BIBLE © 2020 LifeWay Christian Resources EXPLORE THE TEXT Isaiah described the scene of heaven revealed KEY DOCTRINE: Man Only the to him in a vision while in the temple. God’s grace of God can bring man into His throne was encircled by angels declaring His holy fellowship and enable man to holiness, a sound that shook the foundation fulfill the creative purpose of God of the temple. (Eph. 2:4).

DID YOU KNOW?: Isaiah 6 is the Finally, God spoke and posed a question, only place in the Bible that mentions asking who was willing to go on mission on the seraphim. Of all the angelic His behalf. Isaiah’s response was short and to beings mentioned in the Bible, the point: Here I am. Send me. He experienced only the seraphim and cherubim the merciful and gracious cleansing of God (Ezek. 1:4-28) are described as from the penalty of his sin, which is death. having wings. In addition, because the Lord had forgiven him, Isaiah had a right standing before God. What should we learn about God in Consequently, Isaiah’s quick reply was the Isaiah’s vision of God on His throne? only logical and appropriate one. God told How should God’s holiness affect Isaiah what his message would be, and He how we think about God and how we revealed to Isaiah what would result from live for Him? his message.

Isaiah’s first response was,Woe is me for I Why is it important for believers who am ruined. In other words, “I am about to proclaim God’s message to recognize die!” What is sure is that at the sight of God’s that most who hear the message will not throne, Isaiah became aware of his sin and respond positively to it? unworthiness to be in the presence of God. Before Isaiah could faithfully serve the Lord Isaiah asked the Lord how long he was to by prophesying to a people who were unclean, deliver God’s message to people who were he himself needed to be clean. So, no doubt at unwilling to repent. God directed Isaiah to the bidding of the Lord, one of the seraphim deliver the message until His judgment was took a glowing coal from the altar with tongs complete. God explained that He was going and touched Isaiah’s lips as a way of cleansing to use invaders to lay waste to Judah and Isaiah of his sin. take the survivors into foreign captivity. But God did not leave Isaiah hopeless; He pointed How should Isaiah’s vision of God on His to a remnant who would return to God. throne affect how we think about the holiness of God? What can we learn from Isaiah about God and ourselves when we stand before God to worship Him?

23 © 2020 LifeWay Christian Resources APPLY THE TEXT • God is holy and chooses to reveal His glory to people. • All humans are in need of God’s forgiveness for sin. • God invites willing followers to deliver His message to others. • God’s messengers are to be faithful throughout their lives regardless of the response. God revealed His holiness to Isaiah in a vision. What does it mean to say God is holy, and what are various ways the Lord reveals He is holy?

As a group, read aloud Isaiah 6:8. Discuss how Isaiah’s response to God’s call upon his life is the logical and appropriate response for every believer. What might be said about a person who responds negatively to such a calling?

Why is it so important for believers to be faithful throughout their lives to God’s commission to serve Him even when it can be difficult to do so?

Prayer Requests

Read Isaiah 6:1-4, contemplating Isaiah’s vision of God. Isaiah’s vision began with seeing the Lord. No one has seen God, yet the Lord graciously revealed Himself to Isaiah for the sake of His people. Isaiah saw the splendor of His majesty seated on a high and lofty throne, asserting Yahweh’s power and authority over all creation. The Lord’s robe filled the temple as His glory fills all the earth.

The seraphim, literally “the burning ones,” are angelic beings who are heavenly attendants to the Lord. Isaiah witnessed them flying above the Lord with their three sets of wings, with one set covering their faces, one set covering their feet, and with one set they flew. Fire is often associated with the presence and glory of God. In reverence, submission, and awe for Yahweh, and because of the brilliance of His glory, these fiery heavenly beings covered themselves.

The sound of the seraphim calling out to one another shook the foundations of the doorways. The temple was filled with smoke that may have been from the altar in the temple. Smoke or a cloud is often associated with the presence of God and probably shielded Isaiah from seeing any more than his mortal eyes were able to bear.

What did you learn about God in Isaiah’s vision of Him on His throne? How does God’s holiness affect how you think about God and how you live for Him?

Day 2: We are unworthy of being in the presence of God.

Read Isaiah 6:5, considering Isaiah’s response to seeing God. Isaiah believed he was doomed to die—ruined. Perhaps God’s statement to Moses in Exodus 33:20 flashed in his mind, “humans cannot see me and live.” Isaiah gave three reasons for his response. The first reason is because he was overcome with the consciousness of his own sin and recognized he was unworthy to stand in God’s presence. Isaiah knew he was completely unclean before God. He was unable to join the seraphim in praising God because his lips were unclean. The second reason for his response was because the nation of Judah was a sinful people too. In the middle of this overwhelming experience, Isaiah thought not only about his own situation but that of his people. The third reason for Isaiah’s response was because he saw Almighty God arrayed in splendor and glory.

Describe an instance, situation, or circumstance in which God revealed His glory to you.

Read Isaiah 6:6-7, underlining verse 7. God sometimes used fire to purify something. (See Num. 31:22-23.) The purifying burning coal from the altar implies an acceptable sacrifice was made for Isaiah’s forgiveness of sin and his reconciliation to God. Isaiah did nothing for himself. The removal of his iniquity and the atonement for Isaiah’s sin was initiated and completed by the Lord. The removal of his sin meant that God’s sense of justice was satisfied and Isaiah could now stand before God without fear. This is what the expression, your sin is atoned for meant. Isaiah’s experience anticipated what the people of Judah needed done for their own iniquities to become the holy and blessed people God promised they would become in chapters 1-5. All of these actions anticipate the Lord Jesus Christ who is the one and only atoning sacrifice for the forgiveness of our sin.

What can you learn from Isaiah about God and yourself when you stand before God to worship Him?

Day 4: Most will not respond to His message.

Read Isaiah 6:8-10, understanding the warning given. Verse 9 contains the oddest message one could imagine God giving to His prophet. It seems as if God didn’t want them to understand the message. However, the mention of minds, ears, and eyes taken together is a poetic way of saying the people were so spiritually blind and deaf that when Isaiah preached to them, what he said would be incomprehensible to them. In fact, Isaiah would speak with such simplicity that the people would ridicule him for it (Isa. 28:9-10). The only way they could understand was to have a change of heart. Their hearts were hardened in rebellion against God, and they would become even more hardened as they heard and rejected God’s Word through His prophet. The Lord did not commission Isaiah for the purpose of confusing the people; God called Isaiah to clearly proclaim His message while realizing most would reject it. Therefore, they would be without excuse when God’s judgment fell on them because through Isaiah the Lord was giving them one more opportunity to turn back, and be healed.

Why is it important for believers who proclaim God’s message to recognize that most who hear the message will not respond positively to it?

Read Isaiah 6:11-13, noting God’s plans. With graphic language, the Lord painted a picture of cities that lie in ruins without inhabitants and land that is ruined and desolate, describing what He was going to cause to happen to Judah. Jeremiah later prophesied that this exile would last seventy years (Jer. 25:11; 29:10). Ezekiel prophesied that during that time God would purify His people (Ezek. 36:25). But God did not leave Isaiah hopeless; He pointed to a remnant who would return to God. A tenth of them would survive even though they too would suffer. The purifying burning would continue until only a stump, a holy seed would survive. Yet this holy seed was what would survive to spring forth as the holy and blessed people of God. Even though judgment must fall upon the wicked people of Judah because of God’s justice, His mercy and grace would shine through as He would never completely eradicate His promise of salvation that would ultimately come through the person and work of Jesus Christ, who is the first fruit of this holy seed promised to Abraham. (See Gen. 12:1-3; 1 Cor. 15:22-23.)

What do these verses teach you about God’s character?

TALK IT OUT Reflect on the truths found in Isaiah 6, sharing For additional context, with other members of your Bible study group. read “The Life and Times How does Isaiah’s vision give us a sense of God’s of Uzziah,” available greatness? His holiness? His power? digitally in the Fall 2020 issue of Biblical What’s the correlation between self-evaluation and Illustrator for Explore forgiveness? Explain. the Bible at LifeWay. com/BiblicalIllustrator. How do we hear God’s voice today?

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“Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth” is an odd idiom. A person can tell the age and quality of a horse by looking at its teeth. To look at the teeth of a horse given as a gift shows a lack of appreciation. The idiom means do not reject a gift someone gives you. In Isaiah’s day, God offered King Ahaz a gift, a sign guaranteeing God’s protection. But Ahaz thought it was better to trust in Assyria instead of God—a decision that would have devastating consequences.

UNDERSTAND THE CONTEXT The event that precipitated Isaiah’s message Even though the Lord promised to give Ahaz in Isaiah 7:1–12:6 was what biblical scholars a sign to prove He would bring down the call the Syro-Ephraimite War (735-733 BC). coalition, Ahaz refused to believe. Instead, King Tiglath-pileser of Assyria posed a Ahaz sent messengers with silver and gold threat to the entire ancient Near East. from the Lord’s temple and the king’s palace Eventually, he would turn his attention as a bribe to King Tiglath-pileser of Assyria west toward Israel and Judah. So Pekah, and said, “I am your servant and your son. the king of Israel, joined Rezin the king of March up and save me from the grasp of the Syria with the hope of forming a coalition of king of Aram and the king of Israel, who are all the kingdoms in the region to defeat the rising against me” (2 Kings 16:7). Therefore, Assyrian invasion. Judah became a vassal of Assyria as Tiglath- pileser took the bribe, deployed his armies When King Jotham of Judah and his son, and invaded Syria, capturing its capital Ahaz, who succeeded him, were called Damascus, deporting the survivors into exile to join the anti-Assyrian pact, they both and executing King Rezin. They also began refused. Therefore, Syria and Israel waged their invasion of Israel but stopped when the war on Judah in order to replace Ahaz with people of Israel overthrew Pekah. Tiglath- a Syrian/Aramean prince and secure Judah’s pileser installed Hoshea, a pro-Assyrian participation in the alliance against Assyria. king on Israel’s throne and exacted a heavy Ahaz was shaken by the threat of invading tribute from them. Ironically, because Ahaz Syrians and Israelites. So the Lord sent the refused to believe God and instead turned to prophet Isaiah to Ahaz with a message. The the Assyrians for help, the Assyrians would message was for Ahaz to stay calm and not eventually turn on Judah and decimate its fear the threat of Syria and Israel. Ahaz could land and population. trust in the Lord to defeat Judah’s enemies.

DATE OF MY BIBLE STUDY: 29 © 2020 LifeWay Christian Resources ISAIAH 7:7-17 7 This is what the Lord God says: It will not happen; Passage Outline it will not occur . 8 The chief city of Aram is God Intervenes Damascus, the chief of Damascus is Rezin (within (Isa. 7:7-9) sixty-five years Ephraim will be too shattered to be God Expects a people), 9 the chief city of Ephraim is Samaria , (Isa. 7:10-13) and the chief of Samaria is the son of Remaliah . God Announces If you do not stand firm in your faith, then you will (Isa. 7:14-15) not stand at all. 10 Then the Lord spoke again to Ahaz: 11 “Ask for a sign from the Lord your God— God Judges it can be as deep as Sheol or as high as heaven.” (Isa. 7:16-17) 12 But Ahaz replied, “I will not ask. I will not test Key Words the Lord.” 13 Isaiah said, “Listen, house of David ! Is it not enough for you to try the patience of men? A. D amascus, a powerful Will you also try the patience of my God? city-state, wouldn’t be 14 Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a able to stand against God. God’s plans will come to sign: See, the virgin will conceive, have a son, and fruition (Isa. 14:24; 46:10; name him Immanuel. 15 By the time he learns to Prov. 19:21). Damascus reject what is bad and choose what is good, he will fell at the hands of the be eating curds and honey. 16 For before the boy Assyrians in 732 BC. knows to reject what is bad and choose what is B. Th e Northern Kingdom of good, the land of the two kings you dread will be Israel; Ahab’s wife Jezebel abandoned. 17 The Lord will bring on you, your had him make Samaria the center for Baal people, and your father’s house such a time as has worship. Many of God’s never been since Ephraim separated from Judah: prophets were killed in He will bring the king of Assyria.” Samaria, and it fell to the Assyrians in 722 BC. C. Pekah, Remaliah’s son, assassinated King Pekahiah of Israel so he could reign (2 Kings 15:25). D. Th e Davidic dynasty includes Jesus (2 Sam. 7). E. H oshea killed Pekah (2 Kings 15:30). The king of Assyria killed Rezin (2 Kings 16:9).

30 EXPLORE THE BIBLE © 2020 LifeWay Christian Resources EXPLORE THE TEXT By using His personal name, God BIBLE SKILL: Use a Bible communicated that the threat against His dictionary. Make a list of the kings people was a personal affront to Him. Yahweh’s mentioned in Isaiah 7. Using a Bible message was clear and concise. The enemies dictionary, read the articles about said they would conquer Judah, but the Lord each king listed and make notes on emphatically declared, It will not happen; it each. What lessons can you learn will not occur. The issue before Ahaz was clear: from what you read? How does each Would he listen to his enemies or would he king’s life illustrate the need for listen to the Lord? trusting in God and His plans?

DID YOU KNOW?: Israel is God offered Ahaz an opportunity to see a sometimes referred to in the Old sign from God that He was willing and able Testament as Ephraim, the northern to protect His people. Ahaz’s response was kingdom’s most prominent tribe. insincere piety. How could he be testing God (See Isa. 11:13; Jer. 7:15; Hos. if it was God who offered to give him a sign? 5:9-14.) Consequently, the alliance formed between Syria and Israel What do people who display a false piety to defend against the expansion to God reveal about themselves? What of Assyria is known as the Syro- are some ways people try to disguise Ephraimite war. their unbelief?

By pointing out that Damascus was the chief Isaiah declared that God would provide a sign city or capital of Aram, and that Samaria despite Ahaz’s unbelief: a virgin would give was the chief city of Israel (Ephraim), God birth to a child and name him Immanuel. was saying they would not have another How does God’s keeping His promise to capital in Jerusalem. Moreover, they would send the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ, not have another king in Jerusalem. God affect our trust in God in other matters? had promised David that He would establish David’s dynasty forever (2 Sam. 7:11-13). Isaiah revealed to Ahaz that God would bring Consequently, God was not going to allow a change in leadership because of the king’s anyone to cut off David’s line. failure to trust in God. The Lord is faithful to all of His promises. How is God our source of hope? What might one conclude about people who What sources of security do people turn appear to be without hope? to today as a substitute for trusting God?

31 © 2020 LifeWay Christian Resources APPLY THE TEXT • God’s plans are a source of hope for His people. • God expects His people to respond in faith. • God is faithful to keep His promises, with the birth of Jesus Christ being the ultimate proof. • God brings judgment on those who fail to trust Him. As a group, discuss ways following God’s plan produces hope. How can the group remind each other of the hope found in following God’s plan when a person’s faith is challenged?

In what areas of your life is God asking you to trust Him in a deeper way? How would you describe your response? How can you address any sources of hesitation you may be experiencing?

Memorize Isaiah 7:14. Reflect on the promise of God that He would be with us. How does the promise of God’s presence instill hope in you? Thank God for sending His Son to “be with us” in this world.

Prayer Requests

Read Isaiah 7:7, identifying the Lord’s declaration. When King Ahaz of Judah refused to join the alliance formed by Rezin, king of Aram (also called Syria), and Pekah, king of Israel, to go to war with Assyria, the allied kingdoms decided to go to war with Judah. Rezin and Pekah’s goal was to replace Ahaz with someone who would support the anti-Assyrian coalition. When this news reached Jerusalem, Ahaz and his people “trembled like trees of a forest shaking in the wind” (7:2). Consequently, God sent Isaiah to assure Ahaz that he was safe and he could trust in the Lord’s plan. Second Kings 15:37 and 2 Chronicles 28:5 indicate that the Lord sent Rezin and Pekah against Ahaz because Ahaz “did not do what was right in the Lord’s sight … and made cast images of Baals. He burned his children in the fire, imitating the detestable practices of the nations the Lord had dispossessed before the Israelites. He sacrificed and burned incense on the high places, on the hills, and under every green tree” (2 Chron. 28:2b-4). Ahaz led Judah into committing spiritual adultery against the Lord by his idolatry and murderous sacrifices. So the Lord’s message of deliverance to Ahaz through His prophet Isaiah was a demonstration of God’s mercy and grace.

Contextualize verses 7-9 by reading verses 1-6. Why do you suppose God sent a message to King Ahaz?

Day 2: We must stand firm in our faith.

Read Isaiah 7:8-9, highlighting the last sentence. It was just a matter of time before Aram would fall and Rezin would be executed. Also, Israel’s time was short; the Assyrians destroyed Samaria in 722 BC and carried off the northern kingdom’s survivors into exile, never to become an organized people again. If the sixty-five years refers to the following sixty-five years from this point, then the reference is to 671 BC when the Assyrians transported conquered foreigners into the region of the former northern kingdom. As a whole, the unholy alliance between Israel and Aram would be destroyed. Therefore, Judah had no reason to fear the coalition’s threats. However, Isaiah’s message served as a warning to Ahaz. Putting his trust in political alliances would be Judah’s downfall. Ahaz sat on a throne that was established by the Lord, established on His promises to David and the people of God. David’s sons who sat on the throne were to stand firm in the same faith that David had in the Lord. Judah’s faith in God was the foundation of their very existence and essential to their identity. But Ahaz was at a point of no return. Therefore, Isaiah said, If you do not stand firm in your faith, then you will not stand at all.

How is God your source of hope?

Read Isaiah 7:10-13, considering Ahaz’s sinful actions. It is amazing God would make such a generous offer to such an ungodly king as Ahaz. And it is surprising the Lord spoke to Ahaz twice. This demonstrates Yahweh’s patience, mercy, and loving kindness toward His sinful people. Since Ahaz failed to believe what he had heard of God’s power, God was willing to show him. Ahaz didn’t want a sign because he was unwilling to believe. He was trying to cloak his unbelief with a religious ruse. A sign would force Ahaz to openly admit his stubborn unbelief in Yahweh. Ahaz’s mind had already been made up, having already chosen Assyria over the Lord. Isaiah saw through Ahaz’s pious ploy. The Davidic kings were supposed to shepherd their people in faithful service to God. Instead, all of them fell short, and most of them violated their trust by using the throne as a means to feed their own appetites. God was faithful to His promise to David, but the house of David had not produced kings who shepherded His people as God intended. After hundreds of years and many generations, God’s patience was wearing thin.

What do people who display a false piety to God reveal about themselves? What are some ways people try to disguise their unbelief?

Day 4: God fulfills His promises.

Read Isaiah 7:14-15, noticing God’s now-fulfilled promise. Immanuel means “God is with us.” The name of the child would be a reminder of God’s presence, bringing comfort to those who trusted in God and destruction to those who failed to trust God. What could have served as a sign of God’s tender mercy for Ahaz instead would serve as a sign of God’s indignation.

Virtually all conservative, evangelical scholars affirm that verse 14 refers to the birth of Jesus to the virgin Mary. They hold that Isaiah’s prophecy pertains only to Jesus the Messiah based on Isaiah’s other references to Immanuel. The “entire land” belongs to Immanuel (Isa. 8:8). Immanuel would be the reason the nations’ plans to defeat God’s people would fail (8:10). Immanuel would be named “Mighty God” and “Eternal Father,” and His “reign on the throne of David” would never end (9:6-7). Based on these declarations, Immanuel would refer to the Lord Jesus Christ and no one else.

KEY DOCTRINE: God the Son In His incarnation, Jesus was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary (Matt. 1:18-23).

How does God’s keeping His promise to send the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ, affect our trust in God in other matters?

Read Isaiah 7:16-17, noting what the Lord will bring. In a short time, the Lord would eliminate the threats of Pekah and Rezin. The Aramean kingdom of Rezin was destroyed first in 732 BC. Tiglath-pileser reduced the size of the northern kingdom of Pekah in 733 BC, and the king was assassinated and replaced by Hoshea. Eventually, the northern kingdom was totally defeated in 722 BC which was about thirteen years after the Immanuel prophecy.

The Lord would also useAssyria as His instrument of judgment against Judah. Isaiah compared the judgment coming to the days when the Northern Kingdom separated from Judah in 928 BC. (See 1 Kings 12.) Rejecting the Lord and seeking help from Assyria would be Ahaz’s downfall. God used Ahaz’s source of security as the source of his demise.

What sources of security do you turn to today as a substitute for trusting God?

TALK IT OUT Reflect on the truths found in Isaiah 7, sharing with other members of your Bible study group. For additional context, How did God challenge King Ahaz in verse 9? How does read “The Syro- this verse challenge us today? Ephraimitic War,” available digitally in the How did Ahaz’s rejection of God’s offer show a lack Fall 2020 issue of Biblical of faith? Illustrator for Explore the Bible at LifeWay. In what ways can we actively demonstrate our faith in com/BiblicalIllustrator. God’s promises?

ISAIAH 23:8-18 04

Throughout history, we have seen dictators, despots, and other leaders seize control of a country or region. At the time, some of these leaders and the groups they led appeared to be invincible, carrying an unchecked arrogance as they gained more power. In Isaiah’s day, Tyre and Sidon were Phoenician cities on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea that had a vast and powerful financial empire. To the human eye, they seemed invincible, but they were no match for God. God is sovereign over every nation and human seat of power.

UNDERSTAND THE CONTEXT Isaiah’s message revealed there will come • These oracles serve as a warning to the a time when people from every nation will people of God: if you act like the nations, stream to the house of the Lord to worship then God will treat you like the nations. In Him (Isa. 2:2-4; 11:1-10). However, before fact, God would show greater severity to this happens, the Lord would bring His His people given all that they had witnessed purifying judgment on the nations. Hence, God do for them. They should know better Isaiah 13:1–23:18 contains a series of than to act like the pagan nations around judgment speeches against many of the them. With a greater knowledge of God nations in the ancient Near East, and these comes a greater responsibility to God. proclamations pave the way for Isaiah’s message of universal judgment in chapters • Although, these judgment speeches speak 24–27. One should recognize a number of of the destruction of nations and a warning things from these speeches: to Israel, they also contain a message of hope for the people of God. Isaiah 14:32 • The Lord rules over all of the nations. exclaims, “The Lord has founded Zion, They are all under His authority and will and his oppressed people find refuge in answer to Him. her.” Therefore, these oracles of judgment against the nations are an exhortation • Even though Isaiah addressed the various for the people of God to turn away from nations in these judgment speeches, the foreign alliances and put their trust in Him audience who actually received these alone. The Lord is their salvation. speeches was Israel. Primarily, their purpose was to inform God’s covenant people of God’s plans for the nations. God would keep the promises He made to Abraham (Gen. 12:3).

DATE OF MY BIBLE STUDY: 37 © 2020 LifeWay Christian Resources ISAIAH 23:8-18 8 Who planned this against Tyre , the bestower Passage Outline of crowns, whose traders are princes , whose God is Just (Isa. 23:8-12) merchants are the honored ones of the earth? God is Active (Isa. 23:13-14) 9 The Lord of Armies planned it, to desecrate all its glorious beauty, to disgrace all the honored ones God is Honored of the earth. 10 Overflow your land like the Nile, (Isa. 23:15-18) daughter of Tarshish; there is no longer anything to restrain you. 11 He stretched out his hand over Key Words the sea; he made kingdoms tremble. The Lord A. T yre was part of a group has commanded that the Canaanite fortresses of maritime city-states. be destroyed. 12 He said, “You will not celebrate Ezekiel and Isaiah spoke anymore , ravished young woman, daughter of against Tyre for its arrogance (Ezek. 28; Isa. Sidon . Get up and cross over to Cyprus—even 23). Tyre had great wealth. there you will have no rest!” 13 Look at the land of the Chaldeans—a people who no longer exist. B. Part of a rhetorical question: How can the Assyria destined it for desert creatures. They set wealthy men of Tyre up their siege towers and stripped its palaces. They and Sidon, who were made it a ruin. 14 Wail, ships of Tarshish, because treated like princes your fortress is destroyed! 15 On that day Tyre will one day, become poor the next day? be forgotten for seventy years—the life span of one king. At the end of seventy years, what the song C. The term is synonymous says about the prostitute will happen to with Baal worship. Tyre: 16 Pick up your lyre, stroll through the city, D. Instead of prosperity, you forgotten prostitute . Play skillfully, sing many Tyre and Sidon would a song so that you will be remembered. experience poverty. 17 And at the end of the seventy years, the Lord E. A city linked with Tyre. will restore Tyre and she will go back into business, F. Known for extremely prostituting herself with all the kingdoms of the cruel and evil practices, world throughout the earth. 18 But her profits and Assyria defeated the wages will be dedicated to the Lord. They will not North Kingdom of Israel be stored or saved, for her profit will go to those in 722 BC. who live in the Lord’s presence, to provide them G. T yre was compared to with ample food and sacred clothing. a harlot. At the end of seventy years, Tyre would return to prominence, but this time to give money to the temple of the Lord.

38 EXPLORE THE BIBLE © 2020 LifeWay Christian Resources EXPLORE THE TEXT Isaiah posed a rhetorical question about who How does Isaiah’s pronouncement would destroy Tyre. Given the fortifications against Tyre reveal God’s justice? How and strength of Tyre, the notion that Tyre is recognizing that God is just in all He would be destroyed would have seemed far- does as important as recognizing any of fetched to anyone who heard it in Isaiah’s day. God’s other attributes?

DID YOU KNOW?: The king of Isaiah pointed to Assyria’s defeat of the Tyre supplied cedar and pine logs early Chaldeans as evidence of God’s power and craftsmen for the building of in the affairs of His creation. The Assyrian the temple during Solomon’s reign king, Sennacherib, had waged a war of total (1 Kings 5:8-9), approximately 280 destruction on the land of Chaldea. The years before Isaiah. land was so devastated that Chaldea was no threat to anyone for several decades. What Then Isaiah pointed to theL ord of Armies once was a land of formidable fortresses and being the One who would bring this notable magnificent palaces was turned into a ruin city down. As impressive as Tyre was and as only fit for wild animals. extraordinary as its inhabitants and those associated with them thought of themselves, How does God demonstrate His power Tyre would be no match for the Lord and through the affairs of nations? His armies. KEY DOCTRINE: God the BIBLE SKILL: Compare references Father. God as Father reigns with that use the same phrase or providential care over His universe, term. Isaiah referred to God as the His creatures, and the flow of the Lord of Armies in verse 9. Look up stream of human history according 1 Samuel 1:3; 2 Samuel 7:26; Psalm to the purposes of His grace 80:4; Amos 5:14-15; Haggai 2:6-9; (Jer. 10:10). and Malachi 1:11-14. Pay attention to the verses surrounding these Isaiah closed his judgment speech by verses as well. Note the main point revealing even more of what will happen being made in each passage. What to Tyre after its destruction. Tyre would be attributes of God are most seen in erased from the thoughts of the world where this title? it once had been so prominent. Even though Tyre would try to regain it prominence, it Just as Tyre’s influence spread across the would only happen when the Lord decided to ancient Near East, Africa, and Europe, so restore her after seventy years. will the effect of God’s judgment be on these lands as the Lord stretched out his hand What can one conclude about the over the sea to bring down Tyre’s empire of nations’ relationship to God based upon extravagance. Isaiah 23:15-18?

39 © 2020 LifeWay Christian Resources APPLY THE TEXT • God is just in all He does. • God actively directs the affairs of His creation. • God’s plan includes all nations honoring Him. List situations in your life that make you question God’s justice. Ask God to give you insight, committing to trust Him as He carries out His plans.

What evidence do you see that proves God actively directs the affairs of His creation? How does seeing this evidence give you confidence to remain faithful to Him? What actions do you need to take to build upon that confidence in God?

How can you honor God this week? List one action you will take to specifically honor God and identify how that action will honor Him.

Prayer Requests

Read Isaiah 23:8-9, noting Isaiah’s description of Tyre. Tyre and Sidon were ancient cities dating as far back as the third millennium BC. Both were coastal cities of the Mediterranean Sea located in Phoenicia west of the mountains of Lebanon and known as great cities of trade. They were the gateway for goods coming and going from the ancient Near East to places in North Africa and Europe. In many ways, they were the center of commerce for the world at that time. People everywhere knew them as opulent and prestigious cities. Isaiah acknowledged the city’s power to establish rulers over their colonies. Tyre traded with princes, an indicator of pronounced power. Also, with the vast wealth amassed by Tyre’s traders, these merchants were the most prestigious and honored ones of their day. In a materialistic culture where amassing wealth was the most prized accomplishment, these importers and exporters enjoyed renown wherever they went. Any who arrogantly look to their own accomplishments and attempt to glorify themselves while continually ignoring Almighty God, in due time will be brought low by the God they have disregarded. Verse 9 clearly reveals that God is in control of the nations. In His providential timing, He may allow them to last for a time, but His patience always comes to an end in regard to arrogant nations who thumb their nose at God and make themselves the objects of their own praise. He acts and brings destruction to all who would dare attempt to steal His glory.

How would you explain the difference between godly and ungodly pride?

Day 2: God is just in His judgments.

Read Isaiah 23:10-12, considering God’s commands. Tarshish was one of Tyre’s many colonies spread out around the Mediterranean Sea in Cyprus, North Africa, Italy, and Spain. Tarshish appears to have been located northwest of the Strait of Gibraltar on what is today the southern tip of Spain. As a colony of Tyre, the people of Tarshish were under its rule. It was one of possibly two of Tyre’s most western located colonies. So, when Isaiah addressed Tarshish, he appeared to be using it to represent all of Tyre’s colonies from those closest to Tyre all the way to Tarshish. Isaiah compared the coming of refugees from Tyre to the waters of the Nile when unrestrained by its banks in the rainy season. The people who were under Tyre’s rule would be free to live without its tyranny. Failure to control its colonies would be a sure sign of Tyre’s demise.

How is recognizing that God is just in all He does as important as recognizing any of God’s other attributes?

Read Isaiah 23:13-14, identifying God’s power. The land of the Chaldeans was southern Babylon where the Tigris River and Euphrates River meet, which is at the tip of the Persian Gulf in southern Iraq today. The Chaldeans at times had a powerful influence over all of Babylon. In fact, there were periods when Chaldeans were the kings of Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar was a Chaldean king who depleted Judah by taking most of its people into exile, including Daniel and Ezekiel. Nebuchadnezzar was the Chaldean king who destroyed Jerusalem and the temple in 586 BC. For this reason, Chaldean became synonymous with “Babylonian” in the Old Testament. As Isaiah described the desolation that came to the land of Chaldea, his message was that the same fate awaited Tyre and Sidon by the hand of the Lord.

In the same way Isaiah began this judgment speech in verse 1, he concluded this section of it in verse 14, exhorting the ships of Tarshish to wail because their source of wealth would be no more. Tyre, their fortress and security would be destroyed. Isaiah goaded the merchants of Tyre’s lucrative, expansive empire to lament in grief over the death of their beloved city. In grief and shock, these lords of luxury would witness the unimaginable happen to Tyre and Sidon. Human empires come and go, but only the kingdom of God is eternal.

How have you seen God demonstrate His power through the affairs of nations in today’s world?

Day 4: Dishonoring God removes us from His blessings.

Read Isaiah 23:15-16, noticing the comparison to a prostitute. Tyre would be forgotten for seventy years. Isaiah stated this is the life span of one king. This is likely referring to the lifespan of a kingdom (as the same word in Hebrew may refer to a king or kingdom). The kingdom Isaiah probably referred to was the Assyrian Empire. In 701 BC, Sennacherib marched his armies along the Mediterranean coast, and one of the cities he attacked was Tyre. From that time until the Assyrian Empire began to decline, Assyria maintained control of Phoenicia. Since Tyre would be irrelevant during that time, Isaiah provided no further elaboration on what would happen to it during the seventy-year period.

Isaiah then used a song about a prostitute to describe what would happen to Tyre. Since no one was any longer knocking at her door, she resorted to going out into the streets to play her lyre for people to remember her. Why did Isaiah use a prostitute as his metaphor for Tyre? Tyre’s rise to prominence was fueled by catering to human desires.

How does comparing Tyre to a prostitute paint a vivid picture for us of what dishonoring God looks like?

Read Isaiah 23:17-18, underlining the word restore. Every nation and every superpower is under the providential sovereign rule of Almighty God. At that time, Tyre would resume its past ways of prostituting herself with all the kingdoms of the world throughout the earth. However, there is a twist to Tyre’s resurgence. Her profits would be dedicated to the Lord and go to supply the needs of the temple and its priests in Jerusalem when the exiles returned from Babylon. When the Persian King Cyrus gave his edict proclaiming that the exiled Judeans could return home after living in exile for seventy years, he said that God had appointed him to build His temple in Jerusalem. He also declared that the people in the region should assist the returned exiles with “silver, gold, goods, and livestock along with a freewill offering for the house of God in Jerusalem” (Ezra 3:2-4). The Lord turned what Tyre once used for its self-glorification into resources to be used for His own glory and the blessing of His people.

What do you conclude about the nations’ relationship to God based upon Isaiah 23:15-18?

TALK IT OUT Reflect on the truths found in Isaiah 23, sharing with other members of your Bible study group.

How would you explain the difference between godly and For additional context, ungodly pride? read “Ancient Tyre,” available digitally in the When have you experienced assurance that God is Fall 2020 issue of Biblical always at work? Illustrator for Explore the Bible at LifeWay. Imagine a world in which all nations honored God. com/BiblicalIllustrator. What would that look like? What contributions can we make to that end?

ISAIAH 25:1-10A 05

People who have a plan for success and implement that plan are admirable. The Bible teaches that God has a plan. His plan includes redeeming creation and assembling a people out of every nation. Every nation will be represented when God prepares His inaugural feast, and everyone in attendance will be there because of their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Salvation is by faith alone in Christ alone. Isaiah emphasized this truth as he anticipated the destruction of death and the celebration of the Lord’s salvation before His throne.

UNDERSTAND THE CONTEXT Isaiah 24:1–27:13 serves as the climax to curse to earth, the earth will become a the previous chapters describing God’s curse to humanity, and everyone but a small judgment of individual nations. Once Isaiah remnant will perish as the earth shakes and finished addressing the nations, his focus fails to provide for people’s needs. In that moved from regional judgment to universal day, the Lord will destroy all earthly and reckoning, from the immediate time frame heavenly opposition. to a distant future, and from what is temporal to what is eternal. The section is distinctly The people of God, however, will celebrate eschatological, speaking of end times. After the Lord’s judgment on the nations and describing what God would do to the entire declare Him their faithful stronghold. God earth, Isaiah’s main emphasis was on how it will prepare a victory feast celebrating His would affect the people of God. His message rule and will include His faithful people from serves as a word of comfort to people as they every nation. The victory the people celebrate face turbulent times. will be the victory they anticipated for ages as they see God’s intervention against the Chapter 24 declares no one will escape the wicked and His vindication of those who Lord’s judgment. It is an apocalyptic picture trusted in Him. The bodies of the faithful of total destruction with the earth utterly who were dead will rise (26:19), and God’s laid waste and every inhabitant completely people will come and “worship the Lord on plundered. Isaiah indicates the reason for the holy mountain at Jerusalem” (27:13). this cataclysmic judgment is that all the people have broken God’s laws, overstepping God’s decrees by making their own laws, and by disregarding every gracious act of God to make Himself known to humanity (24:5). Since humanity’s sin brought the

DATE OF MY BIBLE STUDY: 45 © 2020 LifeWay Christian Resources ISAIAH 25:1-10A 1 Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you. I will Passage Outline praise your name, for you have accomplished Singing Praise wonders , plans formed long ago, with perfect (Isa. 25:1-5) 2 faithfulness. For you have turned the city into a Feasting Together pile of rocks, a fortified city, into ruins; the fortress (Isa. 25:6-8) of barbarians is no longer a city; it will never be Trusting God 3 rebuilt. Therefore, a strong people will honor you. (Isa. 25:9-10a) The cities of violent nations willfear you. 4 For you have been a stronghold for the poor person, a Key Words stronghold for the needy in his distress, a refuge from storms and a shade from heat. When the A. W hen this word is used it predominantly refers to breath of the violent is like a storm against a wall, God’s works. 5 like heat in a dry land, you will subdue the uproar of barbarians. As the shade of a cloud cools the B. Th ere are five aspects of fear: (1) emotional fear; silence heat of the day, so he will the song of the (2) anticipation of violent. 6 On this mountain, the Lord of Armies something bad; (3) to will prepare for all the peoples a feast of choice “revere” (NASB, NIV); meat, a feast with aged wine, prime cuts of choice (4) behavior, or to“obey and glorify” (TLB); or 7 meat, fine vintage wine. On this mountain he will (5) religious worship. destroy the burial shroud, the shroud over all the peoples, the sheet covering all the nations; 8 he will C. Taking shelter reveals destroy death forever. The Lord God will wipe away humanity’s vulnerability. the tears from every face and remove his people’s D. Receiving punishment disgrace from the whole earth, for the Lord has is sometimes needed to humble people toward 9 spoken. On that day it will be said, “Look, this repentance (Deut. 7:23). is our God; we have waited for him, and he has saved us. This is the Lord; we have waited for E. Y ahweh is the mighty Warrior King (1 Sam. him. Let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.” 17:45), who is over 10 For the Lord’s power will rest on this mountain. all things. F. To look for something with great anticipation. G. A “saved” person is delivered by the Savior (Jesus Christ) from great distress (sin) so that he or she is completely free.

46 EXPLORE THE BIBLE © 2020 LifeWay Christian Resources EXPLORE THE TEXT Isaiah 25:1-5 presents a hymn of thanksgiving KEY DOCTRINE: Last Things that celebrates God and His salvation. From a The righteous in their resurrected human perspective, many of the nations God and glorified bodies will receive would lay low appeared invincible. The city their reward and will dwell forever represents the arrogant notion that humans in heaven with the Lord can save themselves in their own self- (1 Thess. 4:14-18). sufficiency. They have concluded they do not need God. The fact that this city is fortified In verse 6, the prophet continued declaring and called a fortress shows their resolve what the Lord of Armies would do. The to defend their way of life. However, every Lord’s reign would begin with a coronation attempt at salvation apart from the mercy feast. In addition to preparing a feast for and saving grace of God is doomed to fail. His people from every nation, God would do Isaiah was declaring that people who were something even more spectacular: He would once adamant enemies of God will become destroy death. part of the saved people of God. How does the defeat of death point to the What is the importance of knowing that peace God offers to His people? powerful cities come and go? What is Not only does Isaiah depict the Lord’s the benefit of believers being mindful of dwelling with His people, but we also get a their inadequacies? glimpse of what it will be like for the people DID YOU KNOW?: The wordhonor of God to dwell in the presence of God. in Isaiah 25:3 comes from a Hebrew How is the hope of salvation realized in word (kaved) that means “heavy” the phrases used by Isaiah? What role or “weighty.” It carries the sense of does faith play in waiting for God? “assign weightiness or importance,” thus “to honor” or “to glorify.” BIBLE SKILL: Use a Bible concordance. Use a Bible Isaiah pits the hollow, counterfeit strength concordance to identify instances of the wicked against the strong wall of in Isaiah where he referred to a protection afforded the poor and needy by vineyard. How does the metaphor the Lord. The Lord is opposed to the proud of a vineyard develop in the book? but a champion of the weak. Thus, Isaiah What are the elements in the shows how the Lord receives glory in two imagery and how do they connect ways. First, He receives glory by showing with God and His people? Himself strong for the weak. Second, the Lord receives glory by opposing those who are arrogantly self-willed and self-assured of their own power with no need for God.

47 © 2020 LifeWay Christian Resources APPLY THE TEXT • God’s salvation leads to praise of Him. • God’s peace will be enjoyed by all who trust in Him. • God’s salvation comes through faith in Him. Reflect on the salvation God provides through faith in His Son. Write a prayer thanking God for His salvation.

Discuss as a group ways of enjoying God’s peace today. How does the promise of a future complete with peace impact how your Bible study group functions? What changes need to be made to make your group a more peaceful place?

How would you rate your ability to whole-heartedly proclaim “look this is our God”? What needs to change in your life to more confidently make this declaration?

Prayer Requests

Read Isaiah 25: 1-2, examining why Isaiah is praising God. Isaiah began his hymn with a short but very profound declaration: Lord, you are my God. In chapter 27, the prophet clearly indicated the nations of the earth would undergo terrible judgment because they had rejected the Lord as their God. However, the Lord will save those who can truthfully proclaim, “Yahweh is my God.” Personal knowledge of the Lord is the characteristic of those who will be saved. Next, Isaiah declared he would exalt the Lord and praise His name because of what He has done. Wonders speaks of things only God can do. From a human perspective, many of the nations God would lay low appeared invincible. But God is in perfect control; He methodically and faithfully carries out His purposes.

Isaiah elaborated on the wonders God accomplished. Thecity to which he referred is “the city of chaos” in Isaiah 24:10. It is not a specific city but a metaphor to represent human strongholds of wickedness. Just as the Lord came down and rendered impotent the people at the Tower of Babel as they attempted to elevate themselves to be equal with God, He will bring down this arrogant city. As invulnerable as the wicked city of human self-sufficiency and self-will may appear, God Almighty easily lays it to waste.

Why is it beneficial for you to be aware of your own inadequacies?

Day 2: God’s plan is salvation.

Read Isaiah 25:3, underlining the word honor. Isaiah described the salvation of the nations, known as the Gentiles in the New Testament. He mentioned this in Isaiah 24:16 when he stated: “from the ends of the earth we hear songs: The Splendor of the Righteous One.” Part of the Lord’s “plans formed long ago” (v. 1) was to save for Himself a people from every nation. God revealed this plan to Abraham when He chose Abraham and his descendants for the purpose of blessing all the peoples on earth (Gen. 12:2-3; 18:18-19). Paul made this clear when he wrote, “Now the Scripture saw in advance that God would justify the Gentiles by faith and proclaimed the gospel ahead of time to Abraham, saying, ‘All the nations will be blessed through you’” (Gal. 3:8). Isaiah was declaring that people who were once adamant enemies of God will become part of God’s people.

Why should you honor God?

Read Isaiah 25:4-5, identifying where true strength is found. Thepoor and the needy are the opposites of the strong and self-sufficient citizens of the city of chaos and meaninglessness which the Lord has destroyed. Yet, the poor and needy are better off because the Lord is a stronghold for the poor and needy and a refuge from the storms and heat of the violently wicked who seek to harm the weak. Those who thought they were strong have become weak, but those who are weak are secure because the Lord is their refuge and strength. Thus, Isaiah shows how the Lord receives glory in two ways. First, He receives glory by showing Himself strong for the weak. Second, the Lord receives glory by opposing those who are arrogantly self-willed and self-assured of their own power with no need for God. This is a motif throughout the Scriptures. One witnesses this motif in the lives of people like the Israelites whom God saved from Egypt; one of the greatest and most powerful nations ever known. The Book of Judges demonstrates it in the life of Gideon who was the least in his tribe and yet led 300 men to victory over 135,000 Midianites. Also, David was but a boy and yet defeated the mighty Goliath.

Why is it appropriate for believers to praise God in advance of seeing His promises fulfilled?

Day 4: God will defeat death.

Read Isaiah 25:6-8, considering what the feast is celebrating. In addition to preparing a feast for His people from every nation, God would do something even more spectacular: He would destroy death. The burial shroud covers every person of every nation. We have a 100 percent death rate. However, the Lord will destroy death forever—not just death per se but the cause of death. Adam and Eve incurred the curse of death on themselves and their descendants as consequences for their sin. Nevertheless, the apostle Paul revealed that just as death came to all through Adam, the resurrection of the dead comes through faith in Christ. What’s more, the last enemy Christ will abolish is death (1 Cor. 15:23-26). Jesus bore the curse and conquered the grave by His death and resurrection. As Paul wrote, “Death has been swallowed up in victory” (1 Cor. 15:54). Such a statement is fitting for Isaiah’s message as he anticipated the celebration feast of this victory over death. The Lord personally will do for His people what they cannot do for themselves. The new nature of God’s people will be given full expression in Christlikeness and holiness. Isaiah declared it will not be a time of sorrow but a time of rejoicing, for the Lord has spoken. Isaiah comforted God’s people with the assurance that God will defeat all of their enemies when He begins His reign in Zion, and that they will then experience blessings like those that the world has never known.

How does the defeat of death point to the peace God offers you?

Read Isaiah 25:9-10a, underlining the phrase “we have waited for Him, and He has saved us.” Not only does Isaiah depict the Lord’s dwelling with His people, but we also get a glimpse of what it will be like for the people of God to dwell in the presence of God. What a glorious day it will be when the people of God see Him face to face and exclaim, “Look, this is our God.” God will reward those who trust in Him and patiently wait on Him. Those who trust in the Lord will be saved, and the natural response of people who have been saved is to rejoice and sing the praises of the One who has saved them. On Mount Zion, the place where the Lord resides, rests the power of God unto salvation because He alone is the Savior. Salvation comes from God alone through faith alone.

What role does your faith play in how you wait for God?

TALK IT OUT Reflect on the truths found in Isaiah 25, sharing with other members of your Bible study group. For additional context, What hymn or song is especially meaningful as we read “Banqueting in consider God’s faithfulness? the Ancient Near East” in the Fall 2020 issue How does waiting for God to act reflect trust in Him? of Biblical Illustrator. Available at LifeWay. How should the knowledge that Christ will return com/BiblicalIllustrator. motivate us to share our faith in the Lord with unbelievers?

ISAIAH 31:1-9 06

Gold requires fire to be refined and purified. Melting the ore provides a means for separating the gold from other elements included in the raw material. The process also serves as a means for testing the gold. We too must face some type of fire for our faith to be tested, refined, and purified. This fire can come in all kinds of shapes and forms. For the Israelites, the threat of war served as a test of their faith, revealing their true character.

UNDERSTAND THE CONTEXT Much of this section is interspersed with In chapters 30–31, the prophet warned of messages of judgment and hope. The the consequences of seeking an alliance messages of judgment begin with the word with Egypt instead of looking to the Lord for “woe.” “Woe” is an exclamation denoting an deliverance from their enemies. Their failure intense outburst of grief, indignation, and to trust in the Lord would lead to defeat and alarm. When the prophets used this type of humiliation. Only their repentance and faith message, it was usually accompanied by an in God could save them. If they would humble accusation or threat immediately followed themselves before God in repentance and by an announcement of judgment. The focus faith, not only would He save them but also of the woes in this section was the self- give them direction, bless their land, and confident people of Judah. They needed to prosper them. Moreover, they would witness learn from what God was going to do to their God’s glory as He defeated their enemies and rebellious brothers in the Northern Kingdom put an end to the Assyrian threat. Finally, of Israel. He was going to send the Assyrians Isaiah pointed to the coming reign of the against Samaria, Israel’s capital (Isa. 28:1-7). Messiah and the pouring out of the Spirit Isaiah warned Jerusalem’s leaders to realize on the people in the far future. However, their sense of invulnerability was false the immediate future for the people of God because their covenant with foreign rulers would be difficult, except for the righteous would lead to disaster unless they returned who will experience security and prosperity to the Lord (28:14-29). under their divine King (chaps. 32–33).

The Assyrians would be God’s tools to carry out His judgment against His people; they would lay siege to Jerusalem. But God promised to defeat the enemy, and told of a future restoration of God’s people.

DATE OF MY BIBLE STUDY: 53 © 2020 LifeWay Christian Resources ISAIAH 31:1-9 1 Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help Passage Outline and who depend on horses! They trust in the False Hope abundance of chariots and in the large number (Isa. 31:1-3) of horsemen. They do not look to the Holy One of True Faithfulness Israel and they do not seek the Lord. 2 But he also (Isa. 31:4-5) is wise and brings disaster . He does not go back Repentance Demonstrated on what he says; he will rise up against the house (Isa. 31:6-9) of the wicked and against the allies of evildoers. 3 Egyptians are men, not God; their horses are Key Words flesh, not spirit. When the Lord raises his hand to strike, the helper will stumble and the one who A. S outheast of Israel, Egypt is helped will fall; both will perish together. 4 For played a significant role in the social, political, and this is what the Lord said to me: As a lion or young economic life of Israel. lion growls over its prey when a band of shepherds is called out against it, and is not terrified by their B. Of the 80 times the word is used in the Old shouting or subdued by their noise, so the Lord Testament, it generally of Armies will come down to fight on Mount Zion means military assistance. and on its hill. 5 Like hovering birds, so the LORD C. The children of Israel of Armies will protect Jerusalem ; by protecting it, received disastrous news. he will rescue it; by passing over it, he will deliver God wouldn’t lead them it. 6 Return to the one the Israelites have greatly into the promised land rebelled against. 7 For on that day, every one of you because of their evil (Ex. 33:4). will reject the silver and gold idols that your own hands have sinfully made. 8 ThenAssyria will fall, D. Jerusalem was built on but not by human sword; a sword will devour him, a mountain plateau and became a Hebrew city but not one made by man. He will flee from the under David. The new sword; his young men will be put to forced labor. Jerusalem (Rev. 21:2) will 9 His rock will pass away because of fear, and his be where the Messiah will officers will be afraid because of the signal flag. exist in eternity. This is the Lord’s declaration — whose fire is in E. Th e Assyrians were a Zion and whose furnace is in Jerusalem. polytheistic society who were known for their savagery. They conquered the Northern Kingdom of Israel in 722 BC.

54 EXPLORE THE BIBLE © 2020 LifeWay Christian Resources EXPLORE THE TEXT In Isaiah 30:1-5, the prophet denounced DID YOU KNOW?: “Mount Judah for turning to Egypt to save them from Zion” (Isa. 31:4) is a poetic name the invading Assyrians. Here, he warned for Jerusalem and specifically them a second time about turning to Egypt designates the area where the for help. The first denouncement focused on temple stood (see Isa. 2:3). The first Judah’s rebellion against God by turning to biblical mention of Zion occurs in Egypt, but this one focuses more on their 2 Samuel 5:6-9. Although a specific lack of trust in the Lord. place, Zion also became a symbol of God’s presence and rule. Why is it so tempting to look to something or someone else besides the How can one explain the display of God’s Lord for help? judgment and God’s mercy happening at the same? BIBLE SKILL: Review earlier passages for context. Review KEY DOCTRINE: God the Father Deuteronomy 17:14-20, noting the God is fatherly in His attitude expectations for the king. Compare toward all men (Heb. 12:9). the expectations communicated in Deuteronomy with what you find in On the basis of God’s promised deliverance, Isaiah 31. Which expectations were Isaiah challenged the people of Judah to met and which were not? What does repent and turn back to the Lord. Even this passage tell us about the need though they had sinned against God, He was for a better King? How does Jesus ready to forgive and welcome any who would fulfill that need? turn back and place their trust in Him. Note that their repentance was not a prerequisite Any attempt to get help from Egypt was futile for God’s protection of Jerusalem. God would because the Lord is wise and brings disaster spare and save them in order to motivate on His enemies. By looking to others, the them to respond with grateful repentance. Judean leaders not only called into question the power of God but also His wisdom. What Isaiah’s message was straightforward: God they did was offensive to God. Himself would defeat the Assyrians. Judah thought it needed the horses, chariots, and Isaiah reminded his audience that he was trained horsemen of Egypt to save them, but the Lord’s messenger. God’s message to God needed no help. Judah would realize the His people was the promise that He would grave mistake they made in turning to Egypt protect Jerusalem and prohibit the Assyrians for help instead of the Lord. from having total victory over Judah—even though Judah had been rebellious. What does Isaiah’s message communicate about God’s love for His people?

55 © 2020 LifeWay Christian Resources APPLY THE TEXT • Trusting in human strength rather than God’s power will ultimately lead to defeat. • God remains faithful even when we are not. • Trusting in God will ultimately lead to victory. Ask God to reveal to you things you trust other than Him for your security. What changes do you need to make as a result of what He tells you?

Reflect on times in your life when you were not faithful to God yet He remained faithful to His promises. Take time to thank Him for His faithfulness. With whom can you share about God’s faithfulness?

As a group, memorize Isaiah 30:18. Discuss what it means to wait on God. What makes waiting on God such a challenge and a test of our faith? How can the group help each other better wait on God?

Prayer Requests

Read Isaiah 31:1, identifying from whom Judah’s army was seeking help. What did they see in Egypt? They saw an impressive military force made up of multitudes of horses and chariots, readied for war against the invading Assyrians. Judah’s army was basically all infantry; therefore, the speed of cavalry and chariots logically seemed to be a big improvement to Judah’s military forces. Horses would bring them speed, chariots would provide them with strength, and horsemen would give them trained warriors. The Judean leaders chose to disobey God’s law that stated their kings should not acquire horses from Egypt (Deut. 17:16). What’s more, they should have listened to Isaiah’s prophecy that the Assyrians would defeat the Egyptians and take them into exile (Isa. 20:2-6). They should have known that trusting in Egypt to save them was a foolish mistake. The Judean leaders relied more on what they saw in Egypt than what they heard from the Lord’s prophet. Furthermore, they saw what they wanted to see instead of what Isaiah told them to see. If Judah looked to the Holy One of Israel, they would have seen their only true Protector and would have sought Him.

Why is it so tempting to look to something or someone else besides the Lord for help?

Day 2: We must trust in God to help us in difficult times.

Read Isaiah 31:2-3, considering how God’s wisdom should affect our choice to trust Him. Unlike the leaders of Judah who had treacherously disobeyed the Lord by going to Egypt for help, and unlike the Egyptians who could only be depended upon to look out for their own self-interests, the Lord does not go back on what he says. Regarding Judah, what God said He was going to do was grim. Judah’s attempt to get help from Egypt would backfire, and God would rise up against the wicked Judeans and anyone such as Egypt who would lend them assistance.

Next, Isaiah pointed out a stark contrast between the Egyptians and the Lord. Man is frail, temporal, and mortal. The Lord is the Creator, the Eternal God, holy, and awesome in power. Horses are mere flesh and blood, but the Spirit of God is divine, omnipotent, and eternal. Therefore, when the Lordraises his hand to strike, the helper and those helped will perish together. Judah’s snubbing of the Lord and looking to Egypt was an insult to God. The monumental collapse Isaiah prophesied would be the consequence of Judah’s refusal to trust in the Lord.

How does God remind us today of His wisdom?

Read Isaiah 31:4-5, highlighting the two examples given. The promise began with the picture of ayoung lion growling over its prey. A lion growls or roars for a number of reasons, but often it is to warn others to stay away from what is his or they will regret it. The wordshepherds in the Old Testament often is a reference to kings. Isaiah was saying that when the king of Assyria and the kings of its vassal nations come against Mount Zion (Jerusalem), they will be unable to intimidate the Lord as He fights for Jerusalem. As a young lion set to fight to protect its prey, the Lord was prepared to fight those coming to take Jerusalem. Continuing the picture of God’s protection, Isaiah compared the Lord’s protection of Jerusalem to hovering birds protecting their babies. This picture of God’s tender care is common in the Old Testament. (See Pss. 17:8; 61:4; 91:4.) Isaiah chose a familiar expression associated with Passover and the Exodus to make his point. The words passing over describe what God did when He executed the tenth plague on Egypt and “passed over” the children of Israel who had blood on their doorposts in Exodus 12. Now, He was promising to spare them again. Verses 4-5 form a complete picture of how God would save Jerusalem. God would not only zealously save His people, He would protect His children with merciful compassion. The foolishness of Judah, the arrogance of Egypt, and the fierceness of Assyria could not stop Him.

What is the significance of God’s unwavering faithfulness to you? Consider times when you have not been faithful to Him.

Day 4: We must repent and turn to God.

Read Isaiah 31:6-7, underlining the word return. This was the people of Judah’s moment of decision. Even though they had greatly rebelled against the Lord, He was prepared to forgive their sin. On that day, the day of the Lord when He comes in power and glory and establishes His throne on Mount Zion, He will destroy all wickedness and pride (Isa. 2:1-22). However, for Isaiah’s audience it would be too late. Therefore, Isaiah’s urgent message was the Judean’s need to repent while they had the opportunity to do so. There will come a day when everyone will reject their gods and recognize the Lord alone is God and that there is no other. Nevertheless, when that day comes, it will be too late for those who trusted in idols and failed to turn to God. Isaiah’s message is reminiscent of what God proclaimed on Mount Sinai when He gave the Ten Commandments: “The Lord—the Lord is a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger and abounding in faithful love and truth, maintaining faithful love to a thousand generations, forgiving iniquity, rebellion, and sin. But he will not leave the guilty unpunished” (Ex. 34:6-7).

In what ways is Isaiah’s message to the people to cast away their idols and turn to God relevant to the church today?

Read Isaiah 31:8-9, noting the outcome for Assyria. In 701 BC, King Sennacherib of Assyria invaded Judah and captured all of its cities except Jerusalem. Second Kings 18:13– 19:37, 2 Chronicles 32:21-22, and Isaiah 37:36-38 each describe what happened as Sennacherib laid siege on Jerusalem. In the night, the angel of the Lord struck down 185,000 Assyrians, causing Sennacherib, probably the rock in verse 9, to return home to Nineveh in fear and disgrace. The rock who was the shelter and protector of this seemingly unconquerable empire fled before Almighty God. When the Lord raised His banner, the Assyrians who survived ran for their lives. Furthermore, shortly after his return to Nineveh, two of Sennacherib’s sons assassinated him. The prophet Nahum foretold in vivid detail the fall of Nineveh which occurred in 612 BC. By the end of 605 BC, Assyria was no more. The end of verse 9 recognizes that whatever the Lord declares will happen will indeed come to pass. The fire of the wrath of God would burn against all who questioned His glory and sought to destroy His people. Such a display proves the wisdom of those who put their trust in God.

What does Isaiah’s message communicate about God’s love for you?

TALK IT OUT Reflect on the truths found in Isaiah 31, sharing with other members of your Bible study group.

How does Isaiah 31:1-3 serve as a reminder that God is For additional context, our only true hope? read “‘Zion’ as a Place and a Symbol,” available How does God’s faithfulness motivate us to be digitally in the Fall 2020 faithful to Him? issue of Biblical Illustrator for Explore the Bible. How should evidence of the consequences for rebelling Available at LifeWay. against God persuade unbelievers to repent and com/BiblicalIllustrator. trust in God?

ISAIAH 37:14-20,30-35 07

Most people are familiar with the saying, “If you want something done, do it yourself.” The statement usually comes to mind when you have asked someone to do something, only to be let down. People sometimes approach God in this way, thinking it’s better to take matters into their own hands than to trust God with the situation. Such thinking is not only arrogant but also wrong. Recognizing one’s inadequacy and seeking God’s help is a sign of wisdom. Hezekiah realized this truth when he was confronted with a crisis.

UNDERSTAND THE CONTEXT Isaiah’s description of judgment on the prophesied that the people of God will travel nations contains cataclysmic imagery to the “Holy Way” in the joyous return to Zion display God’s power and wrath (chap. 34). (35:8-10). All of creation will be affected. Isaiah singled out Edom as representative of what would Isaiah 36-39 serves as a historical bridge to happen to the nations. The Edomites had a transition from the first section of Isaiah history of taking advantage of Judah when to its final section. Here, Isaiah turned vulnerable. Therefore, the Lord “has a day of his attention to three events in the life of vengeance, a time of paying back Edom for its Hezekiah that are also recorded in 2 Kings hostility against Zion” (34:8). This message 18–20: (1) the miraculous defeat of the once again proved God’s faithfulness to keep Assyrians who invaded Judah and laid siege His promise to curse anyone who treats His on Jerusalem (Isa. 36–37); (2) Hezekiah’s people with contempt (Gen. 12:3). life threatening illness, his plea for God’s healing, and God’s promise to add fifteen In contrast to His plans for the nations, years to his life (Isa. 38); and (3) Hezekiah’s God’s plans for His people are good (Isa. 35). prideful act of showing the treasures of He will turn the dry, wilderness lands of Jerusalem to envoys representing the king Judah into well-watered, lush lands that will of Babylon, Merodach-baladan (Isa. 39). surpass the most fertile lands in the region These events are not in chronological order, (35:1-2). As a result, the people of God will but they serve to show that even the most witness His salvation. Eyes that were blind godly people, such as Hezekiah, failed in will be opened, and ears that were deaf will their commitment to the Lord in spite of be unstopped (35:5). Jesus alluded to this God’s goodness to them. The Lord dispensed passage to reveal to John the Baptist that of the Assyrian threat, but Babylonian exile He is the Messiah (Matt. 11:2-6). Isaiah would be inescapable for Judah.

DATE OF MY BIBLE STUDY: 61 © 2020 LifeWay Christian Resources ISAIAH 37:14-20,30-35 14 Hezekiah took the letter from the messengers’ Passage Outline hands, read it, then went up to the Lord’s temple The Request (Isa. 37:14-20) and spread it out before the Lord. 15 Then The Sign (Isa. 37:30-32) Hezekiah prayed to the Lord: 16 Lord of Armies, God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, The Answer (Isa. 37:33-35) you are God— you alone— of all the kingdoms of the earth. You made the heavens and the earth. Key Words 17 Listen closely, Lord, and hear; open your eyes, A. The king of Judah, the son Lord, and see. Hear all the words that and successor of Ahaz, Sennacherib has sent to mock the living God . began his reign at 25 18 Lord, it is true that the kings of Assyria have years of age. He brought devastated all these countries and their lands. religious reform. Shortly after becoming king, 19 They have thrown their gods into the fire, for he was challenged by the they were not gods but made from wood and stone Assyrian army. by human hands. So they have destroyed them. B. Th e Assyrian king who 20 Now, Lord our God, save us from his power so took the throne during that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that widespread revolt, he took you, Lord, are God— you alone. […] 30 “ ‘This will back control of Babylon, be the sign for you : This year you will eat what Phoenicia, and Judah, where Hezekiah had been grows on its own, and in the second year what preparing to face the king grows from that. But in the third year sow and in battle (2 Chron. 32). reap, plant vineyards and eat their fruit. 31 The C. Sennacherib believed surviving remnant of the house of Judah will again that because he had take root downward and bear fruit upward. 32 For a been successful in remnant will go out from Jerusalem, and survivors war that his gods had from Mount Zion. The zeal of the Lord of Armies defeated the other gods of the kingdoms that he will accomplish this.’ 33 “Therefore, this is what the faced. Thus, he mocked Lord says about the king of Assyria: He will not Almighty God. enter this city, shoot an arrow here, come before it D. God responded to with a shield, or build up a siege ramp against it. Hezekiah through Isaiah, 34 He will go back the way he came, and he will not giving “the proof” (TLB) enter this city. This is the Lord’s declaration. that He would defeat the 35 I will defend this city and rescue it for my sake Assyrians and protect His name and His people. and for the sake of my servant David.” E. In three years the Judean agriculture would return to normal.

62 EXPLORE THE BIBLE © 2020 LifeWay Christian Resources EXPLORE THE TEXT The report Hezekiah received from his when the Assyrians conquered their cities. officials of the royal spokesman’s message But Hezekiah knew the truth. Hezekiah terrified him. He sent a message to Isaiah realized that this moment of Judah’s extreme asking the prophet to pray to the Lord for inadequacy and vulnerability was the perfect help. Isaiah replied, saying the Lord heard opportunity for the Lord to glorify Himself the Assyrian king’s spokesman and would before the nations. The glory of God was deal with the Assyrians. However, Assyria’s Hezekiah’s primary concern. king, Sennacherib, sent a letter to Hezekiah stating that the gods of other cities he KEY DOCTRINE: God There is one conquered were unable to save their people, and only one living and true God and Hezekiah’s God would not be able to (Jer. 10:10). rescue him either. What does Hezekiah’s prayer teach about BIBLE SKILL: Use a Bible priorities when praying to God? dictionary for background. Read Upon promising that He would frustrate articles about Sennacherib in a Sennacherib’s plans, the Lord promised He Bible dictionary. Read some of the would restore Judah. Hezekiah would know Bible passages listed in the article this by a sign. to gain a more complete picture of this king. What accomplishments How important is expressing trust when did you discover that may have praying to God? How does trusting in contributed to Sennacherib’s God’s promises affect the mindset of feelings of invincibility? How might believers when praying? his traits and accomplishments The Lord gave Hezekiah two reasons He have influenced Hezekiah to seek would save Jerusalem. First, He would save God’s help? Jerusalem for the sake of His reputation. What might keep a person from turning Fundamentally, God’s purpose for His people to God first? How does the urgency of is to use them as instruments of His glory a situation impact who a person turns and to make Himself known in all the earth. to for help? Second, the Lord would save Jerusalem to keep His promise to David to establish his Hezekiah’s use of five imperatives in verse 17 throne forever (2 Sam. 7:16). This promise demonstrates the urgency of the situation. to Hezekiah was ultimately fulfilled in the Hezekiah’s first and foremost concern was person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ. not his personal well-being or the security of his people but the glory of God. Sennacherib What do verses 33-35 convey about the thought that the Lord was weak like the purposes and character of God? other gods who failed to defend their peoples

63 © 2020 LifeWay Christian Resources APPLY THE TEXT • Believers can approach God with bold requests because of who God is. • God calls on believers to trust Him as He responds to our prayers according to His will and purpose. • God responds to our prayers in ways that demonstrate His power and are in accordance with His plans. What situations have you hesitated to take to God in prayer recently? Take time to boldly approach Him, following Hezekiah’s lead. Record your thoughts after having done so.

Review your recent prayer requests. How do you need to adjust your requests so that the requests reflect God’s purposes?

As a group, discuss God’s commitment to His reputation and to keeping His promises. What affects should these divine commitments have on believers and the life of your group? Hold each other accountable for memorizing Isaiah 37:35 this week.

Prayer Requests

Read Isaiah 37:14-16, considering how you pray to God in times of distress. Hezekiah’s actions displayed his faith in God as well as his passion for the glory of God. One might surmise that anyone in Hezekiah’s situation would turn to the Lord in prayer. However, the vast majority of Israel and Judah’s kings were self-willed and independent. How much people pray to the Lord indicates how much they recognize their own inadequacy and need for Him. True humility means trusting in God. Hezekiah recognized that God fights for His people. The Lord was the true leader of all of Israel’s armies as well as His heavenly hosts. The cherubim were the powerful angelic figures carved out of olive wood and covered in gold that spread their wings over the mercy seat of the ark of the covenant in the holy of holies in the temple. The mercy seat represented God’s throne and the presence of God with His people. Thus, Hezekiah recognized the Lord was with His people. Moreover, Hezekiah maintained that as Creator, God alone has complete sovereignty and power over all the nations to do with them whatever He pleases. What Hezekiah said about the Lord served to remind the beleaguered king of the reality of who God is. Prayer does not inform God of anything. What prayer does is remind us of what we already know, adjusting our hearts and heads to be in line with whom God is and what He is doing.

What might keep you from turning to God first? How does the urgency of a situation impact who you turn to for help?

Day 2: The Lord is the one and only true God.

Read Isaiah 37:17-19, identifying what Hezekiah believes about God. Hezekiah acknowledged the truth of what Sennacherib asserted in his letter concerning his conquests. The Assyrians had conquered all of the countries Sennacherib mentioned by name and devastated the inhabitants and lands of those countries. In addition, when the Assyrian kings seized the nations in the region, they burned up the gods of those nations. The flames destroyed and consumed their idols ofwood and stone. This was the Assyrians’ way of communicating that their god, Ashur, was greater than the gods of these other nations. The conquests were understood to be as much a battle between gods as they were between armies on the ground. Hezekiah faced the brutal reality of his situation. He knew that Sennacherib actually did not defeat any gods because the Lord is the one and only God. Sennacherib overestimated his accomplishments and underestimated the Lord. The Assyrian monarch thought Yahweh was just another god, but Hezekiah knew better.

How does approaching God with a bold request reflect confidence in His character?

Read Isaiah 37: 20, underlining the phrase “you alone.” Hezekiah’s honest assessment of all that had transpired—of his present predicament and of everyone involved—led to his petition in verse 20. The wordnow carries the idea of “based upon all that has transpired and everything I have brought before You.” Sennacherib had conquered many nations and now threatened to seize Jerusalem. This heathen king had the audacity to challenge Yahweh. Therefore, Hezekiah prayed that the Lord would save His people from this juggernaut so that all the nations might know that He is God and that there is no other. Hezekiah realized that this moment of Judah’s extreme inadequacy and vulnerability was the perfect opportunity for the Lord to glorify Himself before the nations. The glory of God was Hezekiah’s primary concern.

DID YOU KNOW?: When King Hezekiah became seriously ill, he prayed that God would intervene. God answered by adding fifteen more years to Hezekiah’s life (Isa. 38:1-6).

What does Hezekiah’s prayer teach about priorities when praying to God? How can your prayers reflect these same priorities?

Day 4: We must trust God to fulfill His promises.

Read Isaiah 37:30-32, understanding God’s promise. Upon promising that He would frustrate Sennacherib’s plans, the Lord promised He would restore Judah. Hezekiah would know this by a sign. The sign would be that in two full years the land would be completely restored. No doubt, Sennacherib waged war on the actual land of Judah when he invaded. This was a common practice of ancient warfare, leaving a conquered enemy vulnerable for years to follow. However, God promised that the people would not do without and that after two years everything would be back to normal. God called upon Hezekiah to trust Him as the two years passed.

How important is expressing trust when praying to God? How does trusting in God’s promises affect your mindset when praying?

Read Isaiah 37:33-35, highlighting verse 35. God promised to defend Jerusalem without a single arrow being shot, without a single infantry charge, and without even a single siege ramp against the city. Before Sennacherib could lift a finger against Jerusalem, the angel of the Lord went out and struck down one hundred and eighty-five thousand Assyrians in the middle of the night. God answered Hezekiah’s prayer. The Lord saved His people and received all the glory by how He did it. Devastated by his losses, Sennacherib did just as Isaiah prophesied and fled back home only to be assassinated by two of his sons.

The Lord does not always deliver His people from physical crises as He delivered Jerusalem from the Assyrian army. However, the people of God may be assured they have the security of His presence in crises. They can trust in God’s love, power, and wisdom as He ultimately does what is best for them and for His glory. Sometimes the Lord’s salvation comes by eliminating a difficulty; at other times He delivers believers as they go through the crisis. (See Heb. 11, especially vv. 35-40.)

What do these verses tell you about the character of God?

TALK IT OUT Reflect on the truths found in Isaiah 37, sharing For additional context, with other members of your Bible study group. read “Sennacherib, King How does Hezekiah’s prayer serve as a model for us? of Assyria” in the Fall 2020 issue of Biblical Compare and contrast these verses to those discussed Illustrator. Available in Isaiah 7:10-12,14a (Session 3). How are the at LifeWay.com/ circumstances similar? How are they different? BiblicalIllustrator.

How can you grow in your prayer life?

ISAIAH 40:18-31 08

People like being compared to someone who is well respected in their given field. For example, a person who plays a sport usually appreciates being compared to an accomplished player in that sport. However, no one likes being compared to someone or something beneath him or her. Isaiah understood this truth and proclaimed that because everything is beneath God, nothing compares to Him. God alone is worthy of worship and trust, and the one who trusts in the Lord will not be disappointed.

UNDERSTAND THE CONTEXT Isaiah 40:1–41:29 is foundational for the because they are nothing; those who choose Book of Isaiah. As the people of Judah faced to worship them are deluded (41:21-24). the future hardships of Babylonian exile, Everything Isaiah said he premises on the this eighth century prophet exhorted them truth that there is only one God, “the Holy to remember who God is. He is the God who One of Israel” (41:20). The Lord establishes chose them and would be with them (41:8- His supremacy over the nations by pointing 10). The people of God must remember that out they are temporal while He alone is the Lord is their Deliverer and Comforter. He eternal (40:21). He has not abandoned His is all powerful and able to save them from creation, especially His people. The day any threat, vindicating and rewarding those is coming when God will bring down the who remain faithful to Him. Their enemies arrogant nations and exalt His people. would fade away and perish (40:7; 41:11-12). As a shepherd cares for his sheep, the As Creator, God has both the ability and Lord will tenderly attend to the needs of authority to do with His creation whatever His people (40:11). God will manifest His He pleases (40:12). He demonstrates His sovereignty over all of humanity by love supremacy over the nations by His knowledge and not by compulsion. God’s faithful love and wisdom. He knows what is right, does will compel His people to respond to Him what is right, and does it in the right way, at in faithful obedience. This display of loving the right time, to the right extent (40:13-14). kindness and powerful deliverance of His God is superior to the nations because He is people will show God’s love for His people. superior to their idols. God created the stars Those who reject Him will fall but those and calls them by name (40:26). What have who trust in the Lord will soar on wings like the gods of the nations done? Nothing. Their eagles (40:31). gods have done nothing and can do nothing

DATE OF MY BIBLE STUDY: 69 © 2020 LifeWay Christian Resources ISAIAH 40:18-31 Passage Outline 18 With whom will you compare God? What likeness will you set up for comparison with him? 19 An Living idol? — something that a smelter casts and a metalworker (Isa. 40:18-20) plates with gold and makes silver chains for? 20 A poor Sovereign Creator person contributes wood for a pedestal that will not rot. (Isa. 40:21-26) He looks for a skilled craftsman to set up an idol that will Tireless Source not fall over. 21 Do you not know ? Have you not heard? (Isa. 40:27-31) Has it not been declared to you from the beginning? Have you not considered the foundations of the earth? 22 God is Key Words enthroned above the circle of the earth; its inhabitants are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like thin A. In various passages of the cloth and spreads them out like a tent to live in. Old Testament, God asks if there is a comparison 23 He reduces princes to nothing and makes judges of the to Him (Isa. 40:18, 25; earth like a wasteland. 24 They arebarely planted , barely 43:11; 46:5; Ps. 50:21) sown, their stem hardly takes root in the ground when he B. People were made blows on them and they wither, and a whirlwind carries structurally, relationally, them away like stubble. 25 “To whom will you compare me, and functionally to or who is my equal?” asks the Holy One. 26 Look up and “resemble” (NLT) God see! Who created these? He brings out the stars by number; (Gen. 1:26). he calls all of them by name. Because of his great power and C. G od created humans, so strength, not one of them is missing. 27 Jacob, why do you He knows our ways say, and, Israel, why do you assert: “My way is hidden from (Isa. 48:8), how we hunt (Gen. 25:27), how we the Lord, and my claim is ignored by my God”? 28 Do you learn (Isa. 29:11), and how not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting we play an instrument God, the Creator of the whole earth. He never becomes (1 Sam. 16:16). People have those traits because faint or weary; there is no limit to his understanding. 29 He God established humans. gives strength to the faint and strengthens the powerless. 30 Youths may become faint and weary, and young men G. No human prince or ruler compares to God. stumble and fall, 31 but those who trust in the Lord will Each will see an end to renew their strength ; they will soar on wings like eagles; their power and can be they will run and not become weary, they will walk and removed by God. not faint. K. If we rely on our own strength, then we’re sure to fail. But those who trust in God will find that all things are possible with Him (Matt. 19:26).

70 EXPLORE THE BIBLE © 2020 LifeWay Christian Resources EXPLORE THE TEXT Isaiah challenged the people as he raised saw evidence that God is the Creator, but also the question: With whom will you compare the Lord’s prophets repeatedly told them God God? The Lord created all things, so who or is the Creator. Nevertheless, Isaiah’s audience what could compare to Him? The inescapable refused to listen. conclusion is that there is no other God but the God of Israel. DID YOU KNOW?: Religions in the ancient world believed that the stars KEY DOCTRINE: God To God we in the sky were gods. Even some owe the highest love, reverence, and Israelites during the time of Isaiah’s obedience [1 Tim. 1:17). ministry “bowed in worship to all the stars in the sky” (2 Kings 17:16). The idols of the nations are no comparison to God, since an idol is nothing more than a God is not only greater than the gods of human creation without power even to stand the nations, He is also over all the nations. on its own. In verse 20, Isaiah described a God sits on His throne above the earth. poor person who could not afford to have The rhetorical questions of verses 18-20 someone construct him an expensive gold- contrasted God with the idols the people plated idol. Therefore, this person looked for worshiped. The questions of verses 25-26 a skilled craftsman to carve an image out of a contrast God with the heavenly hosts many hard wood that would not rot. It would have of the people worshiped. Both sections required a great deal of effort to carve. communicate one truth: the Holy One is incomparable. Why are people often more impressed by the work of human hands than all that How should knowing that God is the God has done? Creator and is directing the affairs of His creation affect a believer’s daily life? BIBLE SKILL: Compare passages with a similar theme. Compare One might expect the Lord’s response to Isaiah 40:21 with Job 12:7-9 and the people’s complaint to be harsh. Instead, Romans 1:20-23. How do these God points out they needed to acknowledge passages point to the reality of what they already know. The God of Israel is God? What are the common Eternal God. God is capable of strengthening themes found in these passages? the failing and empowering the powerless. What can we learn about God from His creation? Why are the people of God prone to forget what they have heard and know The two central questions of verse 21 get to the about the Lord? heart of the matter: the people’s unwillingness to listen to God’s message. Since God created the heavens and the earth, the people not only

71 © 2020 LifeWay Christian Resources APPLY THE TEXT • All idols are human creations and fall short in comparison to the one true God. • God alone is the Creator of the universe, directing the affairs of His creation. • God strengthens those who place their trust in Him. Examine your life, looking for potential idols—things you place more trust in than you do God. Confess your idolatry to God as you discover each idol. What actions do you need to take to keep God first in your life?

As a group, memorize Isaiah 40:31. Discuss what difference it makes in the lives of believers when they completely place their trust in God for both the present and future. How can the group help each other to continue to place their trust in God?

Prayer Requests

Read Isaiah 40:18, identifying the questions that are asked. The questions of verses 18-19 arise from the truths about God in the preceding verses. The Lord comforts His people. He forgives and restores them as a loving Father who disciplines His children. The Lord will intervene for His people, and all humanity will see His glory. Life on earth is temporal, but God and His Word are eternal. He will come with strength, establish His rule, and reward those who have been faithful. He will protect His flock like a shepherd and gently lead them as if they were nursing lambs. He is awesome in power as Creator. God is also inherently holy in His knowledge and wisdom, meaning His knowledge and wisdom are far beyond human understanding. Unlike humanity, He needs no instruction; God has always been and always will be complete in His knowledge and understanding apart from external sources. The nations are nothing before Him.

In your own words, how would you summarize God’s incomparableness?

Day 2: God is the Creator of all things.

Read Isaiah 40:19-20, considering what idols of today look like. Isaiah highlighted the absurdity of going to so much trouble to worship what is ultimately worthless and nothing. How can such temporal things made by human hands compare to the omnipotent, omniscient eternal God who is the Creator? Idols may look impressive and be quite exquisite, but in the end they are just wood, stone, clay, or metal. Their worshipers construct them with material created by the living God.

Humanity must always recognize the infinite distance between God and His creation. To lose the distinction between the Creator and His creation is to fall into the sin of idolatry. To think of God as just another god or to compare Him with other idols is blasphemy. It is dishonoring to God’s name, character, work, and attributes. Isaiah sought to show his audience that the false gods were based on delusion and absolutely no comparison to the glory of the God of Israel. Given all that God had done for His people, they should have already known this.

What work of human hands are you tempted to be more impressed by than all that God has done?

Read Isaiah 40:21, contemplating what these questions are truly asking. Isaiah used rhetorical questions to make his point. Here, the first and fourth questions go together and the two in the middle go together. Such an arrangement is common and Bible teachers often refer to it as a “chiastic structure.” It is a literary device where the biblical writer presents a sequence of ideas and then represents them in reverse order. In this instance, ideas A and B are repeated in reverse order with B and A. Normally, the idea in the middle is the most emphatic point. Isaiah’s first and fourth questions indicate that his listeners should have known the fundamental truth that the Lord is the Creator and nothing compares to Him. It is a matter of general knowledge.

Describe a time you gazed at the stars at night. How might doing so serve as a reminder of God’s creative power?

Day 4: God is the Holy One.

Read Isaiah 40:22-26, noticing how God looks over His creation. Officials who sit in the highest seats of leadership among the nations may appear to have great power, but they are under the rule of Almighty God. Isaiah described the powerlessness and temporariness of world leaders using the metaphor of young plants that wither. These leaders are planted. In other words, they do not establish themselves by their own power. It is God who “removes kings and establishes kings” (Dan. 2:21).

God’s calling Himself “the Holy One” conveys the truth that nothing compares to Him. God was saying that He is so transcendent—so far above and beyond His creation in every way— that it is impossible to compare anything to Him.

Therefore, while the starry hosts of heaven may reveal a glimpse of God’s glory, He is their Creator. They reflect His glory. Human beings can only guess how manystars there are, but God knows how many there are and calls all of them by name. It does not just mean God knows their names; it means God is the one who has given them their names. Furthermore, God is the Holy One who by His great power sustains them. Not only did He bring them into existence, but also He is the one who keeps them in existence. Consequently, as creations of the Holy One, the heavenly bodies are unworthy of worship; only their Creator is worthy of worship.

How should knowing that God is the Creator and is directing the affairs of His creation affect your daily life?

Read Isaiah 40:27-31, noting God’s response to the people’s complaints The Lord asked His people why they complained that He had been ignoring them and had abandoned them. The grammar conveys a continual complaining. One might expect the Lord’s response to their complaint to be harsh. Instead, God points out they needed to acknowledge what they already know and listen to what they have already heard. The God of Israel is Eternal God. He never tires, and there is no limit to what He knows and understands. They must never doubt His capability and must never assume they can understand His ways.

God is capable of strengthening the failing and empowering the powerless. Drawing on the Lord’s strength, the dragging one will soar, weary legs will run, and the fainting person will be able to walk a great distance. Soaring, running, and walking all imply forward movement. While they may move at different paces, God’s people will never be stuck. They have no reason to despair.

Why might you forget what you have heard and know about the Lord?

TALK IT OUT Reflect on the truths found in Isaiah 40, sharing For additional context, with other members of your Bible study group. read “The Eagle: A How does the truth of God’s incomparableness give you Symbol of Strength,” confidence to face the chaos of life? available digitally in the Fall 2020 issue of Biblical How does Isaiah 40:21-26 affirm God’s identity? Illustrator for Explore the Bible. Available Consider circumstances that can make a person feel at LifeWay.com/ weary or fatigued. How can we discover God’s strength? BiblicalIllustrator.

ISAIAH 46:3-13 09

76 EXPLORE THE BIBLE © 2020 LifeWay Christian Resources Share about a time you completed a task by following a specific plan. How important was following your plan in successfully completing that specific task?

Many of us will “plan our work, and work our plan” when seeking to accomplish a big task. Doing so may require a singular focus. We may even choose to participate only in activities that contribute to the plan’s success and abstain from involvement in anything that gets in the way of us working our plan. Isaiah 46 indicates God has a plan and is committed to it. His plan is to save His people, and nothing will keep Him from accomplishing this plan of salvation, not even the hardheartedness of the people He will save.

UNDERSTAND THE CONTEXT In chapters 42–44, Isaiah’s message revolved God promised Israel that He had chosen to around four proclamations. The first was use Cyrus to rescue the people and to rebuild that God would intervene on behalf of His Jerusalem and the temple (44:28–45:13). people, even though they are spiritually When the nations witnessed what God blind and deaf (42:13-17). The Redeemer, had done for Israel, they would recognize the Holy One of Israel would bring about the futility of their gods and that the God a new exodus, bringing His people out of of Israel is the one true God. The Lord’s call Babylonian exile (43:14-21). The second was of salvation would go out to the nations an exhortation to listen to and obey God’s (45:1-22). In chapters 46–47, Isaiah described Word because He was the one who would God’s judgment on Babylon. God’s judgment remove their sins (42:18-25; 43:22-28). on Babylon would be severe because of how Third, the Lord was their salvation (43:1-7; harshly Babylon treated the people of God. 44:1-5). The fourth proclamation was that God also recognized many of the people of the Lord is sovereign over all the nations Israel had an outward religion without true and superior to all their false gods (43:8-13; devotion to God, but God offered them a 44:6-20). Isaiah declared that Israel needed new beginning with their deliverance from to remember these things and turn back Babylonian exile (Isa. 48). to Him because they were God’s chosen people and He would never forget them. God chose to glorify Himself through His people. While the nations formed their gods, Yahweh, Israel’s Redeemer, formed His people (44:21-24).

DATE OF MY BIBLE STUDY: 77 © 2020 LifeWay Christian Resources ISAIAH 46:3-13 3 “Listen to me, house of Jacob, all the remnant of Passage Outline the house of Israel, who have been sustained from The True God the womb, carried along since birth. 4 I will be the (Isa. 46:3-7) same until your old age, and I will bear you up when The Trustworthy One you turn gray. I have made you, and I will carry (Isa. 46:8-11) you; I will bear and rescue you. 5 “Who will you The Just One compare me or make me equal to? Who will you (Isa. 46:12-13) measure me with, so that we should be like each 6 other? Those who pour out their bags of gold and Key Words weigh out silver on scales — they hire a goldsmith and he makes it into a god. Then they kneel and A. In Exodus 20:3, God made bow down to it . 7 They lift it to their shoulder it clear that His followers were only to worship Him: and bear it along; they set it in its place, and there “Do not have other gods it stands; it does not budge from its place. They cry besides me.” out to it but it doesn’t answer ; it saves no one B. Unlike Almighty God, a from his trouble. 8 “Remember this and be brave; man-made idol has no take it to heart, you transgressors! 9 Remember power or authority to what happened long ago, for I am God, and there answer when a worshiper is no other; I am God, and no one is like me. calls out to it (Ps. 4:1). God promises to respond to 10 I declare the end from the beginning, and from those who believe in Him long ago what is not yet done, saying: my plan will (Jer. 29:12). take place, and I will do all my will. 11 I call a bird C. The basic meaning of of prey from the east, a man for my purpose from a the word is one who is far country. Yes, I have spoken; so I will also bring delivered from great it about. I have planned it; I will also do it. 12 Listen distress so that the person to me, you hardhearted , far removed from justice: is set free. “God is our salvation” (Ps. 68:19). 13 I am bringing my justice near; it is not far away, and my salvation will not delay. I will put salvation D. As wise people ponder in Zion, my splendor in Israel.” past experiences, their future decision-making will be transformed. God “remembered” His promise to Israel (Ex. 2:24; Lev. 26:44-45). E. Those who may be mighty and strong but oppose God (Lam. 1:15)

78 EXPLORE THE BIBLE © 2020 LifeWay Christian Resources EXPLORE THE TEXT In verses 1-2, we find the beginnings of a The Lord told His audience toremember contrast between Bel and Nebo—two of the this. To what does this refer? It refers to main Babylonian gods—with the Lord. The what happened long ago, all the magnificent Lord stated He would determine the future things God had done for them. If they would of Bel and Nebo. They would be defeated and listen to this command, they would know carried away as spoils of war. In contrast to that Yahweh was the only One who was these weak and conquered gods, the Lord trustworthy. had shown Himself strong for His people. He exhorted them to listen to Him as He These verses describe what the incomparable reminded them that even before their God is able to do. First, He foretells events existence as a nation, He had sustained Israel before they happen. He knows what is going to or “put them on His back” and carried them. happen ahead of time, and the Lord revealed the future through His prophets. Second, the How might we describe the difference Lord accomplishes what He plans to do. The between idols that are carried and God past, present, and future all proceed according carrying His people? How does God carry to God’s purposes. His people today? How should God’s omniscience and In verses 5-7, the Lord mocked the idols of sovereignty over all of history be a source Babylon along with the craftsmen who made of strength and hope for believers today? them. In verse 5, He began with rhetorical questions asking who can compare to Him. God promised to bring His justice near to In verses 6-7, He derisively concluded that them, declaring that it was not far away and certainly those who hired skilled workers His salvation would come quickly. Salvation to make the idols, the artisans who actually would come at God’s initiative, by His mercy crafted the idols, and the idols themselves and grace. The people would not do anything to did not compare. deserve it. It would be the Lord’s righteousness and the Lord’s work of salvation, and it would What promises are offered by the man- be for His splendor in Israel. made gods of today? How do these man- made gods compare to the one true God? How should the mercy and grace God shows hardhearted rebels against Him BIBLE SKILL: Memorize Scripture. affect how believers relate to God, other Seek to memorize Isaiah 46:4. believers, and unbelievers? Review each phrase, identifying ways you have seen this true in your life KEY DOCTRINE: Salvation Faith and the lives of others. Reflect on is the acceptance of Jesus Christ the impact this passage may have on and commitment of the entire believers as they contemplate God’s personality to Him as Lord and faithful care and salvation. Savior (Eph. 2:8-10).

79 © 2020 LifeWay Christian Resources APPLY THE TEXT • The one true God is able to save His people. • The one true God continues to demonstrate His power and trustworthiness. • The one true God provides His eternal plan of salvation for His people. Discuss as a group ways of sharing the truths found in this passage to help people understand their need for Jesus. With whom can you share the truth about idols and any item that gets in the way of worshiping God? How can you use the truths from this passage to help them understand the need for trusting Jesus alone for salvation?

In what areas of your life are you in need of God’s assurance? How does this passage give you assurance in those areas? Thank God for being faithful to His plans.

Examine your life, looking for places where you are hardhearted and unwilling to trust God. What actions do you need to take as expressions of faith in God?

Prayer Requests

Read Isaiah 46:3-4, considering God’s role as He cares for His people. There comes a point when parents can no longer carry their children. However, the Lord promised that His tender loving care for His children not only began before they were born but that it would also continue through their infancy, their childhood, their adulthood, on through their old age when their hair turns gray. They would never become a burden to Him. His arms would never tire. He made them. He would carry them as His load, lift them up, bear them, and in doing so rescue them from the Babylonian captivity in which they would find themselves. The Babylonian gods would be unable to come to the rescue of those who worshiped them much less save them from going into captivity. However, the Lord would faithfully care for His people and save them.

How might you describe the difference between idols that are carried and God carrying His people? How does God carry you today?

Day 2: Nothing compares to God.

Read Isaiah 46:5-7, noticing the length to which people will go to create idols. The Lord’s four rhetorical questions in verse 5 served as declarations. In Hebrew, normally a three-fold repetition of the same idea is the way to express superlative emphases, the most or utmost. The use of four statements was the Lord’s way of saying His incomparability is even beyond that. Just as it is impossible for people to comprehend the idea of thinking of something greater than the greatest thing they are capable of imagining, it is impossible to compare anything to the incomparable eternal God.

In verses 6-7 the Lord mockingly proposed three possible contenders who could have compared to Him. The first candidates are those who poured out their gold and silver to have idols made. As the worshipers knelt and bowed down before these gods, they believed they were in the actual presence of the god. They worshiped the thing that they just paid an enormous amount of money to have made. Verse 7 points out these lifeless idols could not move, so their devotees had to lift them on their shoulders and carry them. Otherwise, an idol just stood in its appointed place in its temple doing nothing. Its powerlessness to move on its own shows its inability to do anything for anyone. These realities stood in strong contrast to Yahweh. While He chose to make His presence known at the temple in Jerusalem, He is everywhere.

What promises are offered by the man-made gods of today? How do these man-made gods compare to the one true God?

Read Isaiah 46:8-9, remembering what God has done for you. If the people would just think about the impotence of the idols and remember what God had done for Israel even before its existence, it would strengthen their faith and give them a proper perspective. The Scriptures clearly teach the importance of God’s people remembering what He has said and done. Moses told the Israelites to remember how God led them and provided for them for forty years in the wilderness (Deut. 8:2). God instructed the Israelites to set up memorial stones to remind the people of His faithfulness (Josh. 4:21-22). The Feast of Unleavened Bread was a memorial of what God did to save Israel from bondage in Egypt (Ex. 13:1-8), just as the Lord’s Supper is a memorial of what Jesus did to save us from bondage to sin (1 Cor. 11:23-25).

God called them transgressors because they deliberately disobeyed God and were willfully unfaithful to Yahweh by worshiping idols. Take it to heart means the people needed to seriously consider all that God had done. God commanded them to do what David did, remembering God’s works and reflecting on them. (See Ps. 77:11-15.) If only the people in Isaiah’s day would have listened and done what David did! God told them that if they truly remembered what He had done for them in the past, then like David, they would have recognized what the Lord emphatically stated. Certainly, He is God, there is no other, and no one is like Him.

How has God demonstrated His trustworthiness to you?

Day 4: God has a plan.

Read Isaiah 46:10-11, underlining verse 10. The Lord has a plan, and He will carry out all of it down to its finest detail. God is not figuring things out as He goes, and He does not act on a whim. God is sovereign. He will do whatever is His pleasure, and no one can thwart Him.

In verse 11, God provided evidence of His sovereignty and part of His plan to use King Cyrus of Persia. God would cause Cyrus to come and conquer the Babylonians. He would be God’s instrument of judgment and carry out what Yahweh intended, His purpose. Cyrus would swiftly fly in like a bird of prey and defeat his enemies. The Lord concluded this verse with two parallel statements for emphasis: I have spoken and I have planned it. Both statements confirmed God’s established will, and the statements I will also bring it about and I will also do it were emphatic ways of saying “You can count on Me to do it!”

How is God’s omniscience and sovereignty over all of history a source of strength and hope for you?

Read Isaiah 46:12-13, noting God’s plan for justice. The Lord called them hardhearted and commanded them to listen to Him. To call them hardhearted was to say they were callous, resistant, stubborn, and unreceptive to God’s Word. To be far removed from justice means they were unrighteous, that is, unbelievers. Those who are far from justice or righteousness are those who are far from being justified or righteous before God. Nevertheless, God demonstrated His mercy by calling them to listen and by communicating His Word to them. The kindness God showed these sinners by even speaking to them one more time is incomprehensible. God then promised to bring His justice near to them. Salvation would come at God’s initiative, by His mercy and grace. The people would not do anything to deserve it. These words to Israel are similar to words the apostle Paul wrote to the Romans as he reminded them that salvation was near and was available to those who confessed and believed in Jesus. (See Rom. 10:8-9.)

How does the mercy and grace God shows hardhearted rebels against Him affect how you relate to God, other believers, and unbelievers?

TALK IT OUT Reflect on the truths found in Isaiah 46, sharing For additional with other members of your Bible study group. context, read “Idols: Why is it important for believers to heed Isaiah’s From Production to warnings today? Explain. Veneration” in the Fall 2020 issue of Biblical How does remembering what God has already done Illustrator. Available build trust in Him? at LifeWay.com/ BiblicalIllustrator. How does God’s form of justice affirm His graciousness?

ISAIAH 49:1-13 10

Some things in life seem impossible. A doctor’s diagnosis, the emotions of an ended relationship, or being called into the boss’s office can make us feel like there is no tomorrow. The people of Israel faced the seemingly impossible in the form of conquering armies, guilt of moral failure, and God’s judgment for their disobedience. Isaiah reminded them that God was preparing the way for His Servant. Through this Servant, He would accomplish His purposes and reward those who faithfully serve Him.

UNDERSTAND THE CONTEXT Isaiah included four Servant Songs in The city’s inhabitants felt like the Lord had his prophecy. Although Bible scholars forsaken them. The Lord responded by sometimes disagree on the precise number declaring He had more compassion for Israel of verses included in the Servant Songs, than a mother nursing her child. God had Isaiah 49:1-13 contains the second not abandoned His people, and He would Servant Song. not leave them in exile. Using foreigners, God would defeat their oppressors and bring God chose Abraham and his descendants to many of His people back to Zion. be a blessing to the nations. The Servant’s identification with Israel in Isaiah 49:3 In the third Servant Song (Isa. 50:4-11), the indicates He was Abraham’s chosen seed Servant proclaimed that He was taught how who would not only fulfill Israel’s purpose to encourage the weary. Though He endured to be a blessing to the nations but who also severe opposition and mistreatment, He would restore Israel back to Yahweh. He was resolved to obey God, knowing that one would mediate a new covenant with Israel. day God would vindicate Him before His The Servant would accomplish what Israel enemies. The Servant’s instruction to the had failed to do. He would be despised but people of God was to remain faithful and God would vindicate Him. World leaders trust the Lord. Those who failed to do so would bow before Him in recognition of would suffer God’s judgment. who He is. In Acts 3:13, the apostle Peter identified the Servant as Jesus.

Isaiah 49:14–50:3 indicates the Servant’s work would have a significant impact on Zion (Jerusalem) and the people of Israel.

1 Coasts and islands, listen to me; distant peoples, pay attention. Passage Outline The Lord called me before I was born. He named me while I Included (Isa. 49:1-4) was in my mother’s womb. 2 He made my words like a sharp sword; he hid me in the shadow of his hand. He made me like a Called (Isa. 49:5-7) sharpened arrow; he hid me in his quiver. 3 He said to me, “You Vindicated (Isa. 49:8-13) are my servant, Israel, in whom I will be glorified.”4 But I myself said: I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for nothing Key Words and futility; yet my vindication is with the Lord, and my reward is with my God. 5 And now, says the Lord, who formed me A. Th e Lord formed man from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob back to him (Gen. 2:7-8), like the so that Israel might be gathered to him; for I am honored in potter who forms the clay (Isa. 29:16; Jer. 18:2-6). the sight of the Lord, and my God is my strength — 6 he says, “It is not enough for you to be my servant raising up the tribes B. The people of God who of Jacob and restoring the protected ones of Israel. I will also descended from Jacob, the make you a light for the nations, to be my salvation to the ends of son of Isaac and Rebekah and the brother of Esau the earth.” 7 This is what the Lord, the Redeemer of Israel, his Holy One, says to one who is despised, to one abhorred by people, C. As the good shepherd to a servant of rulers: “Kings will see, princes will stand up, and restores his sheep they will all bow down because of the Lord, who is faithful , (Ps. 23:3), God was the Holy One of Israel— and he has chosen you.” calling His people to return to Him. 8 This is what the Lord says: I will answer you in a time of favor, and I will help you in the day of salvation. I will keep you, and I D. Leviticus 25:23-55 will appoint you to be a covenant for the people, to restore the provides the basis land, to make them possess the desolate inheritances, 9 saying for redemption by to the prisoners: Come out, and to those who are in darkness: the Redeemer (also see Ruth 4). Show yourselves. They will feed along the pathways, and their pastures will be on all the barren heights. 10 They will not hunger E. G od “keeps his promises” or thirst, the scorching heat or sun will not strike them; for their (GNT). He’s certain to compassionate one will guide them, and lead them to springs. follow through. Moses and Samuel were faithful 11 I will make all my mountains into a road, and my highways servants (Num. 12:7; will be raised up. 12 See, these will come from far away, from the 1 Sam. 3). north and from the west, and from the land of Sinim . 13 Shout for joy, you heavens! Earth, rejoice! Mountains break into joyful F. The land where God shouts! For the Lord has comforted his people, and will have promised to gather the Babylonian exiles; compassion on his afflicted ones. some believe this to be modern-day China.

86 EXPLORE THE BIBLE © 2020 LifeWay Christian Resources EXPLORE THE TEXT Whenever Old Testament writers used the Whatever discouragement there was that word peoples, they were referring to the tempted the Servant, it quickly dissipated nations. Thus, this message was universal, with the knowledge that God had prepared addressed to everyone everywhere. The Him for His mission from the very beginning. command was for the peoples to listen God told the Servant it was not glorious to me. The insistence for the people to enough for the Servant to restore Israel alone. listen is common among the prophets and What would bring God the greatest glory reveals that the Servant was a prophet. His would be the salvation of people from every gospel would reach those both far and near. nation. Initially, people would despise and Everyone would have to respond one way or abhor the Servant. Furthermore, this chosen another to His message. Furthermore, as the Servant of the Lord would submit Himself Servant carried out His mission, He would before human rulers. Jesus did this before be secure in the hand of His heavenly Father, Pilate and Herod (John 18:33-37; Luke 23:6- and the Lord would protect and keep the 12). However, the day will come when the Servant hidden like arrows in a quiver until kings and princes of this world will recognize it was time for the Servant to reveal Himself. the Servant for who He is and bow before Verse 4 reveals the Servant would be rejected Him because He is God’s chosen One. and would not see a great response to His message. What role does today’s believer play as a bearer of the light, one who carries How can knowing that God vindicates the message of the gospel? How does His children help believers learn to trust that role relate to the work done by Him with the results and timing? the Servant?

BIBLE SKILL: Compare similar Jesus fulfilled this prophecy. All of the passages. Compare Isaiah chapter covenant promises and blessings are 40 and chapter 49. Make a list of the embodied in Him. Consequently, union promises of chapter 40 and similar with God comes only through Christ for the phrases in chapter 49. How will the Israelite and Gentile alike. servant of the Lord fulfill God’s plan to comfort His people? Look Define the rejoicing experienced by a up 2 Corinthians 5:16–6:2. What person who trusts in Jesus for salvation. connections do you see between this How is the Servant (Jesus) honored passage and Isaiah 40 and 49? Note through our rejoicing in the salvation them in your list. How do Jesus’ He provides? actions as the Servant of the Lord KEY DOCTRINE: Last Things apply to believers today? God, in His own time and in His own way, will bring the world to its appropriate end (Heb. 9:27-28).

87 © 2020 LifeWay Christian Resources APPLY THE TEXT • Believers can find comfort in knowing that God includes them in His redemptive plans. • Believers are called upon to compassionately deliver the message of God’s salvation to all people. • Believers can live with confidence, knowing that God will vindicate them. Discuss as a group the comfort found by those who know God has included them in His plan of salvation. How can your group help others discover this truth? List actions to be taken by the group.

How can you demonstrate your thankfulness for God’s salvation? Reflect on ways you rejoice in God’s salvation. How does rejoicing in His salvation give you comfort?

Prayer Requests

Read Isaiah 49:1, underlining the phrase, “listen to me.” The expression,listen to me, is unique to the Book of Isaiah, and only the Lord used this phrase as He addressed the people. What does this reveal about the Servant? The Servant was going to proceed by revealing what God planned for Him to do. He began with how God called Him. Just as God spoke to Abraham and called Israel to be a blessing to the nations before Israel was a nation, the Lord also called the Servant for a specific task. Moreover, since Yahweh issued the commission, the Servant came at God’s bidding with divine authority to do God’s will. Consequently, the command to listen to Him is as authoritative as was God the Father’s command concerning Jesus when He said, “This is my beloved Son; listen to him” (Mark 9:7).

Consider a time when you should have listened to God, but chose not to. How might the outcome have been different if you had chosen to wait and listen for His guidance?

Day 2: Jesus was God’s Servant.

Read Isaiah 49:2-3, considering what was determined before the Servant was born. Verse 3 needs to be understood in light of the immediate context and in the context of all of Scripture. In verses 5-6, the Servant would “bring Jacob back” to Yahweh “so that Israel might be gathered to him.” He would raise up “the tribes of Jacob” (Israel) and restore “the protected ones of Israel.” Clearly, the Servant, an individual, was doing these things for Israel. It was not Israel doing them for itself. In Isaiah 50:5, the Servant said “I was not rebellious,” and 53:9 indicates the Servant would suffer and die even though “he had done no violence and had not spoken deceitfully.” These descriptions certainly do not pertain to Israel. Isaiah realized that Israel as a people could not accomplish what was needed for the salvation of the nations, let alone their own salvation. So why did God call His Servant (Jesus) Israel? First, He did it to reveal the Servant was a descendant of Abraham. God’s promise to use Abraham to bless the nations was fulfilled in Jesus. Paul wrote that God’s “purpose was that the blessing of Abraham would come to the Gentiles by Christ Jesus” (Gal. 3:14). Second, God called Jesus Israel because He was the ideal Israel. The Servant would succeed and embody in perfect obedience what Israel as a nation had miserably failed to do. He would be everything they should have been. In Hebrew, verse 3 has a strong grammatical break between You are my servant and Israel. Therefore, it could be read, “You are my servant; Israel, in you I will glorify myself.” God used Israel as an instrument of blessing to bring forth His Son, the Servant of the Lord, who would glorify His heavenly Father in His work of salvation.

What conclusions can we draw from these verses regarding the Servant’s identity?

Read Isaiah 49:4, considering in whom the Servant had confidence. John wrote of Jesus: “He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him” (John 1:11). At times, it would appear He labored in vain. He suffered ridicule and abuse, and poured out His life for His people. In the end, one of His disciples betrayed Him and only one stood at the cross while the rest abandoned Him. Nevertheless, the word yet indicates a strong contrast because the Servant knew the Lord would vindicate Him and ensure that the Servant would completely accomplish all His Father sent Him to do. The Servant’s confidence was in His heavenly Father, and the Servant would trust His Father with the results.

How can knowing that God vindicates His children help you learn to trust Him with the results and timing?

Day 4: Jesus is the light for all nations.

Read Isaiah 49:5-7, highlighting “I will make you a light for the nations.” The task that looked like it would defeat the Servant was what God had prepared Him for— to bring Jacob back. Even though Israel had abandoned the Lord, God would not abandon them. Therefore, God sent His servant to go get them and restore them. It was to be much more than just a mere rescue from Babylonian exile. It was to be a spiritual deliverance. Like a shepherd, the Servant would go, gather them, and bring them back to God. God told the Servant He would make the Servant a light for the nations, to be God’s salvation to the ends of the earth. With this purpose in mind, the Servant would fulfill God’s promise to Abraham and his offspring to be a blessing to the nations (Gen. 12:1-3). The salvation of people from every nation always was and still is God’s purpose. In the New Testament, believers are identified as bearers of the light and given the responsibility of sharing that light with others (Matt. 5:14-16). We are called on to share Christ with all, pointing them to the comfort found in the Servant.

What role do you play as a bearer of the light, one who carries the message of the gospel? How is our role an extension of the work done by the Servant?

Read Isaiah 49:8-13, noting what God will provide. Verses 9-12 paint a picture of the Lord’s blessing on His restored people. Like a shepherd, He would feed His people in secure places, protected from hunger, thirst, and sweltering heat. With compassion, He would lead them to springs of water. He would transform their obstacles into clear paths. The return of the exiles from Babylon would foreshadow this much greater event in the future when people of every nationality will experience the blessings of provision, protection, and compassionate guidance that come with the Lord’s salvation. Isaiah concluded this Servant Song with a call for the heavens, the earth, and the mountains to rejoice in the Lord’s salvation of His people. The phrase, his people, refers not only to physical descendants of Abraham but also to all whom the Lord will graciously save through their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. God will save those who are afflicted by sin and struggle in darkness, and those who deserved God’s judgment will experience His compassion.

Define the rejoicing experienced by a person who trusts in Jesus for salvation. How is the Servant (Jesus) honored through your rejoicing in the salvation He provides?

TALK IT OUT Reflect on the truths found in Isaiah 49, sharing For additional context, with other members of your Bible study group. read “God as ‘Redeemer’ Explore the implication of being a servant of the Lord in Isaiah” in the Fall as applied to believers today. 2020 issue of Biblical Illustrator. Available In what practical ways can we be a light to others? at LifeWay.com/ BiblicalIllustrator. How do these verses speak to the immediate and future restoration of God’s people?

ISAIAH 53:1-12 11

We honor parents who work multiple jobs to provide a brighter future for their children. We place the names of public servants who died while on duty on bridges and buildings. We commemorate the sacrifice paid by soldiers who fought and died in battle. Most of us willfully celebrate the sacrifices made by a person for the benefit of others. Isaiah told of a Servant who would come for the purpose of paying for our sin so that we could have peace with God. Through faith in the sacrificing Servant, we find forgiveness and restoration.

UNDERSTAND THE CONTEXT Isaiah delivered a message of hope and and unimpressive appearance. When the encouragement that focused on God’s Servant suffered, the people would think deliverance of His people. He began with God was inflicting judgment on Him because an exhortation for the faithful to remember of His own sins. In truth, He would be how God used Abraham and his barren wife suffering for their benefit as their substitute, Sarah to do what appeared impossible and bearing God’s judgment for their sins and bring forth the nation of Israel in fulfillment paying the price for their sins. Nevertheless, of His promise to them. In the same way, the Servant of the Lord would rise again to God promised the people in Isaiah’s day that see the reward of His sacrifice. He would restore the ruins of Jerusalem and fill it once again with joy, thanksgiving, and Because of the Servant, Jerusalem had a melodious song. God’s salvation would also bright future. God would protect it and bless extend to the nations (Isa. 51:1–52:12). it with beauty, peace, and righteousness (54:1-15). The Lord desired an eternal Isaiah 52:13–53:12 contains the last of covenant with the nation like the one He the four Servant Songs in Isaiah. This song made with David. If the people would seek elaborates on the themes of the Servant’s the Lord and turn from their wicked ways, suffering and vindication, providing a He would compassionately forgive their detailed description of the Messiah’s sins. On the contrary, judgment awaited suffering. Isaiah begins with a promise of those who opposed God and persecuted His His ultimate triumph, as He will cleanse people. Only those who repent and turn to many people. In spite of this, the song God, whether Israelite or foreigner, would reveals the people of God would reject the be part of this future community of faith Servant because of His humble beginnings (55:1–57:21).

1 Who has believed what we have heard? And to whom Passage Outline has the arm of the Lord been revealed ? 2 He grew up Despised (Isa. 53:1-3) before him like a young plant and like a root out of dry Substitute (Isa. 53:4-6) ground. He didn’t have an impressive form or majesty that we should look at him, no appearance that we should Willing (Isa. 53:7-9) desire him. 3 He was despised and rejected by men, a man Sacrificed (Isa. 53:10-12) of suffering whoknew what sickness was . He was like someone people turned away from; he was despised, and we Key Words didn’t value him. 4 Yet he himself bore our sicknesses , and he carried our pains; but we in turn regarded him stricken, A. “ Who could have seen the Lord’s hand in struck down by God, and afflicted.5 But he was pierced this?” (GNT) because of our rebellion, crushed because of our iniquities; punishment for our peace was on him, and we are healed B. D espising the Lord means breaking covenant with by his wounds . 6 We all went astray like sheep; we all Him (Ezek. 16:59). have turned to our own way; and the Lord has punished him for the iniquity of us all. 7 He was oppressed and C. The Servant was “familiar afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth. Like a lamb led to with pain” (NIV) and “acquainted with deepest the slaughter and like a sheep silent before her shearers, grief” (NLT). he did not open his mouth. 8 He was taken away because of oppression and judgment; and who considered his D. The scapegoat bore the sins of Israel (Lev. 16:22); fate? For he was cut off from the land of the living; he was the Lord takes away sin struck because of my people’s rebellion. 9 He was assigned (Num. 14:18). a grave with the wicked, but he was with a rich man at E. “A punishment from his death, because he had done no violence and had not God” (NLT). Moses was to spoken deceitfully. 10 Yet the Lord was pleased to crush strike the water so that it him severely. When you make him a guilt offering, he will became blood (Ex. 7:17); David struck Goliath with see his seed , he will prolong his days , and by his hand, a rock (1 Sam. 17:49). the Lord’s pleasure will be accomplished. 11 After his anguish, he will see light and be satisfied. By his knowledge, F. “Made whole by the blows my righteous servant will justify many, and he will carry he received” (GNT). their iniquities. 12 Therefore I will give him the many as G. M eaning Jesus’ a portion, and he will receive the mighty as spoil, because posterity—those who he willingly submitted to death, and was counted among become children of God through Him the rebels; yet he bore the sin of many and interceded for the rebels. H. Th is foreshadows Jesus’ resurrection to unending life.

94 EXPLORE THE BIBLE © 2020 LifeWay Christian Resources EXPLORE THE TEXT Isaiah was articulating the general unbelief quietly and willingly submitted Himself in the world and in Israel in particular to His antagonists. He not only felt the concerning the revelation of the Servant. excruciating physical pain of it all, but before This Servant of whom Isaiah spoke is Jesus. and during what He experienced He fully Isaiah spoke of the future in the past tense. understood and experienced the emotional The New Testament clearly teaches Jesus and mental anguish of it. is the fulfillment of this song. In verse 3 Isaiah described how people viewed the How does the willingness of the Servant Servant. They wanted nothing to do with demonstrate His love for people? Him and abandoned Him. Many considered How does it demonstrate His love for Him contemptible and disgusting and the Father? consequently rejected Him. Verse 10 reveals God Himself not only caused DID YOU KNOW?: Isaiah 53 is the Servant to suffer but was the One who quoted or referred to in 41 verses in inflicted the suffering on the Servant. What the New Testament. New Testament the Servant accomplished was exactly what writers identified the servant of needed to be done to make restitution to Isaiah 53 as Jesus of Nazareth. (See, God for our sins. Isaiah revealed the Servant for example, Acts 8:30-35.) would live again and see the rewards of His accomplishment—many spiritual children Verses 4-6 are central to the song. They focus and God’s pleasure. on how the Servant offered Himself as a substitute for others by taking the full penalty How does the cost paid by Jesus to secure of God’s judgment of their sin on Himself. salvation for all who place faith in Him The Servant did not become sinful like us but support the idea that there is no other suffered the punishment we deserve. way to the Father? How does what the Servant did for you strengthen your love KEY DOCTRINE: God the Son and commitment to Him? Jesus honored the divine law by His personal obedience, and in This Servant Song concludes with God’s His substitutionary death on the declaration that He would honor and reward cross He made provision for the the Servant when He accomplished the work redemption of men from sin of salvation. (1 Pet. 2:21-25). What impact should knowing that the What single phrase stands out to you the Servant intercedes for those He has most in verses 4-6? Explain. saved have on believers?

Even though He was mistreated with physical violence, Isaiah emphasized the Servant

95 © 2020 LifeWay Christian Resources APPLY THE TEXT • The Servant faced rejection to secure our salvation. • The Servant bore our sin, taking the judgment in our place. • The Servant willingly paid the price for our sin. • The Servant provides salvation to all who accept His sacrifice. Memorize Isaiah 53:5. Compare various translations to gain a deeper understanding of each phrase. How is this verse central to understanding the gospel?

Share about your spiritual pilgrimage. How did you come to know of your need for a Savior? What was your response to Jesus’ offer of salvation? With whom can you share your story?

If you have not trusted Jesus, review the information on the inside front cover and visit with your Bible study leader.

Prayer Requests

Read Isaiah 53:1-3, considering what it means for Jesus to face rejection. In Hebrew, a young plant refers to a shoot that grew and was usually cut off from the roots of an established tree. It may be a reference to Isaiah 11:10 that speaks of the Messiah coming from the “root of Jesse” and was thus a descendant of David. In the context, it points to His unimpressive appearance. The description,a root out of dry ground, emphasizes His frail appearance, His poor family background, and His struggles. The Servant did not fit the stereotype of a savior for His people. Pain and suffering were distinctive characteristics of His life, and it was so bad that people did not want to look at Him. Sickness refers to the consequences of sin as made clear in verse 4. Therefore, the Servant knew what it is like to live in a fallen world. The gospels speak of these things. Jesus was sinless but pitched His tent among us (John 1:14). He identified with sinners. He knew what it was to live in a fallen world. His people rejected Him (John 1:11-13) and His family thought He was out of His mind (Mark 3:21). When soldiers arrested Jesus, His disciples deserted Him (Mark 14:50), and one of His inner circle publicly denied Him (John 18:15-18,25-27). On top of all these rejections was the ongoing hostility of the political and religious leaders of His day, along with the fickle crowds.

How does knowing the Servant faced being despised and rejected comfort you?

Day 2: Jesus suffered the punishment we deserve.

Read Isaiah 53:4-6, noticing the great burden Jesus took on. The Servant waspierced , a verb used in the context of someone being killed. Crushed refers to oppression or a crushing that is fatal. Punishment refers to discipline or corrective reproof. Wounds refers to open bruises. Jesus incurred these from His beating (Matt. 27:26; Mark 15:15; John 19:1). The Servant endured all of these things because of our rebellion and iniquities against God. As our substitute, the Servant bore the punishment we deserve. The Servant suffered these things forour peace and healing. Because of our sins, God was not at peace with us. However, through His vicarious punishment, the Servant secured our peace with God. In addition to this, the Servant’s wounds healed us in that by His suffering, our relationship with God was restored and we are made whole. The phrasewe all have turned points out the willfulness of our sin. There was nothing accidental about it. We chose to go our own way. Even so, the Lord punished His Servant for the iniquity of us all. The Servant did not become sinful like us but suffered the punishment we deserve.

What single phrase stands out to you the most in verses 4-6? Explain.

Read Isaiah 53:7-9, underlining verse 7. Even though He was mistreated with physical violence, like sheep going to slaughter or to the shearers, Isaiah emphasized the Servant quietly and willingly submitted Himself to His antagonists. Sheep do not realize what is about to happen to them, but the Servant knew and submitted to everything that was going to happen to Him. He not only felt the excruciating physical pain of it all, but before and during what He experienced He fully understood and experienced the emotional and mental anguish of it. For he was cut off from the land of the living means He died. The wordpierced in verse 5 indicates His enemies killed Him. Why did the Servant submit to this death? Isaiah wanted everyone to understand the Servant died as a substitute for the transgressions of His people. Verse 9 speaks of the Servant’s burial. His executioners dishonored and disgraced Him by treating Him like a criminal. Nevertheless, the Servant was given an honorable burial after His dishonorable death. Matthew is the only one to mention that Joseph of Arimathaea was rich (Matt. 27:57). Jesus’ body would have most likely been buried along with the bodies of the two criminals who died alongside Him. However, Joseph of Arimathaea and Nicodemus ensured Jesus received an honorable burial (John 19:31-39).

How does the willingness of the Servant demonstrate His love for people? How does it demonstrate His love for the Father?

Day 4: Jesus was our substitution.

Read Isaiah 53:10-11, understanding that it was God’s plan for Jesus to die for our sins. The Servant was the only sacrifice acceptable to God, and the Servant’s suffering and death provided the necessary sacrifice for salvation. A guilt offering was about restitution, paying what needed to be paid for an offense. What the Servant accomplished was exactly what needed to be done to make restitution to God for our sins. Isaiah revealed the Servant would live again and see the rewards of His accomplishment—many spiritual children and God’s pleasure. The Servant would know exactly what He needed to do tojustify many. He would bear their sins so they might stand righteous before God. Everything is dependent on the righteous Servant’s substitutionary work and the faith of those who believe in Him.

BIBLE SKILL: Use a Bible dictionary to examine a term. Review articles about substitutionary atonement in a Bible dictionary. Read the Bible passages included in the article. How do the passages examined give you deeper understanding into Isaiah 53? Write a summary statement of how you would explain Jesus’ substitutionary atonement.

How does what the Servant did for you strengthen your love and commitment to Him?

Read Isaiah 53:12, noting God’s promise to Jesus. Having defeated sin and death, the Servant would enjoy the spoils of war because He willingly submitted to death. Jesus said, “This is why the Father loves me, because I lay down my life so that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own” (John 10:17-18a). Additionally, Jesus fulfilled the prophecy of being counted among the rebels when He was crucified between two criminals (Mark 15:27; Luke 22:37). God promised to exalt the Servant because of His willingness to bear the sin of many, and now as their mediator He intercedes for them to God (Rom. 8:34).

As a believer, what impact should knowing that the Servant intercedes for those He has saved have on you?

TALK IT OUT Reflect on the truths found in Isaiah 53, sharing For additional context, with other members of your Bible study group. read “The Early Church’s For what reasons or purpose did the Servant suffer? Use of Isaiah 53,” an archived Biblical How does the Servant model what willful service to Illustrator article God looks like? provided via digital download in the Fall What does it mean to be justified? Explain its 2020 Explore the Bible significance to the Christian faith. Leader Pack.

ISAIAH 58:1-12 12

We laugh when a friend tells us to drive at the speed limit when we know he rarely does. We may give a puzzled look when a sister who rarely helps clean up after a meal directs others to do so. We might even be angered if our neighbor tells us how to mow our grass yet his yard is the least kept on the block. We know hypocrisy when we see it. Yet being hypocritical is one thing humans have in common, one way or another. The prophet Isaiah revealed God is always consistent and does not put up with spiritual hypocrisy in His people.

UNDERSTAND THE CONTEXT This section begins with God’s condemnation were constantly thinking of ways to sin. of Israel’s hypocrisy. The Lord saw through No matter how much they tried, they the veneer of false piety and recognized could not hide their sin from God. Isaiah meaningless rituals. None of these meant acknowledged God’s indictment of Israel anything when accompanied by insincerity. and lamented their depraved condition. He Religious formalism is as offensive to God humbly confessed how the nation rebelled as idolatry. Fasting that pleases God involves against God and harmed their neighbors. emulating the character of God in one’s life. In response to Isaiah’s confession, God Therefore, God told the people of Israel they promised to repay the nations for their needed to help those who could not help offenses against His people and would come themselves. Only then would God respond to them as their Redeemer and save them. to their prayers (Isa. 58:1-12). Additionally, He would put His Spirit on them and His the people disregarded the Lord on the words in their mouth as an eternal covenant Sabbath and did whatever they wanted. If with His people (59:1-21). His people would honor Him and delight in Him, then they would receive His blessings In the future, Israel would become a light to (58:13-14). the nations and a blessing to the nations, just as God promised Abraham (Gen. 12:1-3). God was able and more than willing to The nations would use their resources to save Israel. God was not the problem. help rebuild Zion as an expression of God’s What separated the people of Israel from compassion and justice. The Lord would be God was their constant rebellion and sin. Jerusalem’s everlasting light, peace, and The Lord would not tolerate their violence, salvation. Its inhabitants would be righteous bloodshed, dishonesty, and injustice. They and possess the land forever (60:1-22).

1 “Cry out loudly, don’t hold back! Raise your voice like a Passage Outline trumpet. Tell my people their transgression and the house of True State Jacob their sins. 2 Theyseek me day after day and delight to (Isa. 58:1-5) know my ways , like a nation that does what is right and does not abandon the justice of their God. They ask me for righteous True Worship (Isa. 58:6-10) judgments; they delight in the nearness of God.” 3 “Why have we fasted, but you have not seen? We have denied ourselves, but you True Satisfaction haven’t noticed! ” “Look, you do as you please on the day of your (Isa. 58:11-12) fast, and oppress all your workers. 4 You fast with contention and strife to strike viciously with your fist. You cannot fast as you do Key Words today, hoping to make your voice heard on high. 5 Will the fast I choose be like this: A day for a person to deny himself, to bow A. W hen used of the Lord, His voice is prophetic, his head like a reed, and to spread out sackcloth and ashes? Will covenantal, and you call this a fast and a day acceptable to the Lord? 6 Isn’t this thunderous. the fast I choose: To break the chains of wickedness, to untie the ropes of the yoke, to set the oppressed free, and to tear off every B. The children of Israel went to Moses to seek yoke? 7 Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, to bring the understanding from the poor and homeless into your house , to clothe the naked when Lord about difficult issues you see him, and not to ignore your own flesh and blood ? 8 Then (Ex. 18:15). your light will appear like the dawn, and your recovery will come quickly. Your righteousness will go before you, and the Lord’s C. Abraham’s servant praised the Lord for glory will be your rear guard. 9 At that time, when you call, the making his way successful Lord will answer; when you cry out, he will say, ‘Here I am.’ (Gen. 24:21). If you get rid of the yoke among you, the finger-pointing and malicious speaking, 10 and if you offer yourself to the hungry, D. There are several religious reasons why people and satisfy the afflicted one, then your light will shine in the prayerfully choose to darkness, and your night will be like noonday. 11 The Lord will abstain from food: always lead you, satisfy you in a parched land, and strengthen (1) grief; (2) a critical your bones. You will be like a watered garden and like a spring decision; (3) a time whose water never runs dry. 12 Some of you will rebuild the of crisis; (4) religious ancient ruins; you will restore the foundations laid long ago; you ceremony. will be called the repairer of broken walls, the restorer of streets E. B iblical hospitality means where people live. sharing what we have with willing hearts. (See Rom. 12:13; 1 Pet. 4:8-10.) F. D espite her husband’s death, Ruth committed to staying with her mother- in-law, Naomi.

102 EXPLORE THE BIBLE © 2020 LifeWay Christian Resources EXPLORE THE TEXT The way for God’s people to be reconciled Isaiah presented more rhetorical questions, to Him is by true repentance and renewed but these are emphatic statements meant faithfulness. The people looked like they to communicate what is acceptable fasting were devoted to the Lord. In reality, they to God. True fasting involves opposing any were unrighteous and had abandoned the wrongdoing that oppresses and abuses Lord’s compassionate ways of justice. They others. It not only means liberating others acted like a godly nation when in actuality from bondage but also doing what it takes to they were not a godly nation. The people ensure the oppression never happens again. complained because God did not appear to pay attention to their fasting. They fasted, KEY DOCTRINE: Christian and hoping God would do something for them, Social Order We should work to but He did nothing. In verse 4, God reiterated provide for the orphaned, the needy, that the people’s behavior did not correspond the abused, the aged, the helpless, to what fasting should have involved. All and the sick (Matt. 25:35-40). that their fasting really accomplished was If the people’s fasting looked like what to make them irritable and contentious with God just described, then they would be a others. They failed to understand that their light shining forth for others to see. Their relationship with God and their relationship exemplary acts would reflect well on them with others were related. In verse 5, God and glorify God. Moreover, the undesirable used rhetorical questions to show the people consequences of their sin would come to a they really had no concept of who God is quick end. if they thought He would be pleased with their actions. If there is such tremendous blessing when people obey God, then why are Why are insincere acts of worship people so reluctant to do so? offensive to God? How does ritual worship apart from obedience leave Isaiah explained that God would lead, worshipers empty and disillusioned? satisfy, and strengthen His obedient people; these were the ones who would enjoy God’s DID YOU KNOW?: The Bible blessings. depicts three forms of fasting. A normal fast consisted of totally How do these verses demonstrate how refraining from food (Luke 4:1-2). God can change a life or situation in ruin An absolute fast involved abstinence into something beautiful? from both food and water, lasting no more than three days (Ezra 10:6; Esth. 4:16; Acts 9:8-9). A partial fast entailed a restricted diet instead of total abstinence (Dan. 1:8-16; 10:3).

103 © 2020 LifeWay Christian Resources APPLY THE TEXT • Ritual worship apart from obedience displeases God and ultimately leaves worshipers empty and disillusioned. • Meeting the needs of others in obedience to God brings honor to God. • Satisfaction comes to those who obediently follow God. As a group, identify needs in your community. Which need can your group meet? Record the next action steps required for your group to meet that identified need.

Identify roadblocks you face when it comes to being fully obedient to God. What joys are you missing by not being fully obedient? How can knowing the potential joys help you overcome the roadblocks you identified?

Prayer Requests

Read Isaiah 58:1-2, understanding what God is asking the people to do. God was able and willing to forgive and restore those who had strayed from Him. His desire was for them to repent by turning away from their sin and turning back to Him. Note that He referred to them as my people, indicating His covenant relationship with them is still in place. Therefore, it was imperative that Israel hear Isaiah as he proclaimed God’s message. God told Isaiah to cry out loudly and not to hold back, to raise his voice like a trumpet so that all of His people could hear the message. Messengers often used a ram’s horn to get the attention of the community. In order for them to repent of their sins, Israel needed to know what their sins were. This was an expression of God’s grace.

God’s confrontation of His people with their sins was His way of giving them one more opportunity to return to Him and experience His forgiveness. Isaiah had already told Israel that God was waiting to show them mercy and compassion (Isa. 30:18). Instead of being quick to punish, this verse displays God’s incredible patience with sinners and His desire for them to repent. God’s desire is to show mercy, not to execute judgment.

Why are insincere acts of worship offensive to God? How does ritual worship apart from obedience leave you empty and disillusioned?

Day 2: God is pleased when our hearts align with our actions.

Read Isaiah 58:3-5, considering why God was displeased with their fasting. These people were fasting—denying themselves of food—in an attempt to manipulate God. They placed more confidence in what they did than in the Lord. It was not about them serving God but about God serving them. They thought that because of their religious piety and sacrifice God owed them. God did take notice of their fasting but was not pleased with what He saw. God said there was no way they could act like they were acting and expect Him to listen to their prayers. The Lord would not pay attention to the fasting and prayers of such people. Displays of devotion in one area do not cancel out demonstrations of deviance from God’s ways in another. In verse 5, God used rhetorical questions to show the people they really had no concept of who God is if they thought He would be pleased with their actions. Just because one goes through the motions does not guarantee one is pleasing God in the process. These actions are pleasing to God only when what is in one’s heart corresponds to these outward expressions. Furthermore, what is in one’s heart will reveal itself in how one relates to others.

Why was God displeased with the Israelites’ fasting and religious practices?

Read Isaiah 58:6-7, identifying the actions that please God. Acceptable fasting and worship involves total devotion to the Lord, accompanied by caring for others. This is what Jesus taught when He replied to questions asking which commandment in the law is the most important. Jesus answered: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is, Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other command greater than these” (Mark 12:30-31).

Therefore, true fasting involves opposing any wrongdoing that oppresses and abuses others. It means fighting for those who cannot fight for themselves instead of fighting for oneself, as the people of Israel were doing. (See v. 4.) Furthermore, true devotion and worship involves giving food to the hungry, providing shelter for the homeless, clothing those who are in need of clothes, and at the same time caring for those in one’s own family. It is imitating the God who has done all of these things both materially and spiritually for His people, pointing others to Him.

BIBLE SKILL: Examine cross references. Use a study Bible to identify cross references listed for Isaiah 58:6-7. Read the passages listed, making notes about what you discover. How do the passages you read connect to Isaiah 58:6-7? How do these passages help you better understand what Isaiah was proclaiming?

What type of behavior is associated with fasting that pleases God? Explain.

Day 4: Faith in God is demonstrated through obedience.

Read Isaiah 58:8-10, listing behaviors that show obedience. Instead of having a humiliating reputation before the nations, a new reputation would go before them: the righteousness of God. Just as the Lord went before His people and at the same time followed them to protect them as a rear guard when He delivered them from Egypt, He would once again do the same for His people. There would be even more benefits to those who fought to liberate people in bondage and who committed themselves to feeding the hungry and helping those in need. First, when they cried out to God, God would hear and answer them. God hears and answers the prayers of those who have turned away from their sinful ways and put their trust in Him. Faith in God is demonstrated by obeying His Word. The beginning point of serving others is having a real relationship with God and maintaining intimate fellowship with Him. When believers do this, they will be a light that scatters the darkness. The noonday sun will replace the darkness of the past.

If there is such tremendous blessing when people obey God, then why are people so reluctant to do so? In what areas are you releuctant?

Read Isaiah 58:11-12, noting what God is offering His people. Isaiah’s message looked forward to the day when the people of God would be able to return home from Babylonian exile. Even though they would return to a city in ruins, God would satisfy them like a well-watered garden and a refreshing spring that would never run dry. Water was the most important resource in the region. No water meant no life. But here is the promise of life.

Not only would God restore the people but also the city of Jerusalem. They should not be discouraged when they returned to the city in ruins. Some of them would restore the foundations, some would repair the broken walls, such as those in Nehemiah’s day, and some would restore the streets of the city. God’s chosen holy city and God’s chosen holy people would no longer be a reproach to the nations. Instead, they would be restored and glorify the Lord.

How has God changed your life into something beautiful?

TALK IT OUT For additional context, Reflect on the truths found in Isaiah 58, sharing read “The Jewish with other members of your Bible study group. Tradition of Fasting,” What is fasting? What is its purpose? an archived Biblical Illustrator article How is serving others an example of true worship? provided via digital download in the Fall How can believers today genuinely be people who live 2020 Explore the Bible righteously and not merely look the part? Leader Pack.

ISAIAH 65:17-25 13

Life’s challenges can cause us to lose hope. If we are not careful, we can begin to believe all is lost and our best days are behind us. When that happens, the present becomes darker and we lose sight of the lessons we can learn. The Bible teaches that the future should impact how believers live in the present. Isaiah revealed to his audience glimpses of what God would do in the future so that they might be encouraged to be faithful as they wait on Him. Hope in the future gives strength in the present.

UNDERSTAND THE CONTEXT In Isaiah 61, the prophet told of the appearing In chapters 65–66, the Lord answered their of the Messiah. In His first coming, He came prayers, promising to judge idolaters and to to save His people. Here, Isaiah described deliver and bless the righteous. For God’s how the Messiah would come a second righteous remnant, there will be a new time to vindicate His people. Their shame heaven and a new earth, and their lives and would be replaced with honor and blessing, work will flourish with great abundance. God and they would be ministers of God as they will respond to their prayers immediately. rejoiced in His salvation and righteousness. They will ultimately experience peace, even Jesus quoted Isaiah 61:1-2 in the synagogue though leading up to that time their enemies and proclaimed that He was the fulfillment will torment them. When God finally deals of this prophecy. (See Luke 4:21.) with their enemies, there will be a rebirth of His people and God’s glory will extend Isaiah 62 focuses on Jerusalem. Even though to every nation. Those who trust in God sin had separated God and His people, there will be saved, while those who reject Him would come a time when God fully restored will experience enduring judgment. People’s their relationship. The Lord would delight in eternal destiny will be determined by their Jerusalem like a groom delights in his bride. faith in the Lord or their rejection of Him. Isaiah 63–64 turns attention to God’s judgment on the nations and the vindication of His people. Edom serves as a representative of every enemy of the people of God that would experience His wrath. Either Isaiah or the people as a whole then recounted how God saved His people from their enemies in the past, especially at the Red Sea.

DATE OF MY BIBLE STUDY: 109 © 2020 LifeWay Christian Resources ISAIAH 65:17-25 17 “For I will create a new heaven and a new Passage Outline earth; the past events will not be remembered or A Place of Joy come to mind. 18 Then be glad and rejoice forever in (Isa. 65:17-20) what I am creating; for I will create Jerusalem to be A Place of Prosperity a joy and its people to be a delight. 19 I will rejoice (Isa. 65:21-23) in Jerusalem and be glad in my people. The sound A Place of Peace of weeping and crying will no longer be heard in (Isa. 65:24-25) her. 20 In her, a nursing infant will no longer live only a few days, or an old man not live out his days. Key Words Indeed, the one who dies at a hundred years old will be mourned as a young man, and the one who A. Th e idea of “making” misses a hundred years will be considered cursed (GNT) a new object. Furthermore, God is the . 21 People will build houses and live in them; they Creator, and His creative will plant vineyards and eat their fruit. 22 They activities are endless and will not build and others live in them; they will unmatched. He is making not plant and others eat. For my people’s lives will a new heaven (2 Pet. 3:13; Rev. 21:1-5). Jesus said be like the lifetime of a tree. My chosen ones will He was going to prepare fully enjoy the work of their hands. 23 They will a place for His followers, not labor without success or bear children destined and He will return to for disaster, for they will be a people blessed by take believers there (John 14:3). the Lord along with their descendants. 24 Even before they call, I will answer; while they are still B. H eaven is the abode speaking, I will hear. 25 The wolf and the lamb will of God and could also refer to all that is above feed together, and the lion will eat straw like cattle, the earth. but the serpent’s food will be dust! They will not do what is evil or destroy on my entire holy mountain,” C. “Rejoicing” (KJV). Three various words are used for says the Lord. rejoicing in Isaiah 65:18- 19. These various words express the exuberance of God’s works (Ps. 118:24). D. The idea is an antithesis of being blessed. Goliath cursed David (1 Sam. 17:43); Balaam was asked to place a curse on Israel (Num. 22:6).

110 EXPLORE THE BIBLE © 2020 LifeWay Christian Resources EXPLORE THE TEXT Verse 17 expounds on the promises the the Lord stated just the opposite. He Lord made in verses 13-16 concerning His repeated this idea in both verses in order to servants. The wordfor is the key word that emphasize the stark contrast between what makes this link. Verses 13-16 contrast what the people had experienced with what they will happen to those who reject the Lord would experience in the future new era. In with the blessings God has in store for His the last part of verse 22, the Lord spoke of servants. Verse 17 answers these questions: more blessings: longevity of life, productivity, “How will God turn things around from the and the satisfaction of enjoying the fruit of present disaster and the humiliation of His their labors. people? How will He do what appears to be the impossible?” What did God promise? How should the blessings God has in First, He promised to create a new heaven store for His people affect how they and a new earth. The only appropriate live today? response to such amazing news is gladness The Lord emphasized that the new heaven and rejoicing. Therefore, the Lord exhorted and earth would be characterized by peace the people to be glad and rejoice forever in between the created and the Creator and what He was creating. peace between creatures. The sins that What is the difference between joy and separated the people from God will be no happiness? What is the significance of more (Isa. 59:1-2). Isaiah using joy to describe the reaction How do the expectations of the coming to the promised future? of the Messiah a second time compare to Verse 20 provides examples of how things the expectations of His first coming? will be different for the people of God in this BIBLE SKILL: Use a Bible future new era. dictionary. The Hebrew concept of What do God’s plans for His people in shalom, often translated “peace,” the future reveal about His disposition occurs in Isaiah 66:12 and pervades toward His people? this week’s study passage (65:17-25). Read the article on “peace” in a KEY DOCTRINE: Last Things Bible dictionary. Read some of God, in His own time and in His the Bible passages included in the own way, will bring the world to its article, recording insights gained appropriate end (2 Pet. 3:7-18). from those passages. How does the description of the new heaven and Deuteronomy 28:15-68 includes a list of new earth point to peace between curses that Moses described would happen God and humanity? How is peace when the Israelites broke God’s covenant with God different from peace with by disobeying His law. In Isaiah 65:21-22a, a nation or group of people?

111 © 2020 LifeWay Christian Resources APPLY THE TEXT • Believers can live with hope, knowing that God will one day create a new heaven and a new earth. • Believers can live with confidence, knowing that they will experience God’s blessing for eternity. • Believers can live with expectancy, knowing that God’s peace will reign in eternity. What situations and challenges do you face that rob you of hope? List ways the promise of a new heaven and earth restores hope while facing those situations.

Review the characteristics of the new heaven and new earth described by Isaiah. What can you do today to live in anticipation of one of these characteristics?

As a group, memorize Isaiah 65:17. Discuss why you look forward to sin being forgiven and forgotten in the new age as Isaiah 65:17-25 describes. How should that future reality impact how your Bible study functions today?

Prayer Requests

Read Isaiah 65:17, underlining “create a new heaven and a new earth.” What did God promise? First, He promised to create a new heaven and a new earth. In the Old Testament, God is the only subject of the verb create. God is going to do what only He can do. The new era that God will create for His new creations in Christ will commence with the creation of a new heaven and new earth. God will not merely patch things up. He will create everything new. His work will be comprehensive. It fits with Isaiah’s promises of a future newness. He spoke of “new events” (42:9; 48:6), “a new song” (42:10), “something new” (43:19), “new things” (48:6), and “a new name” (62:2). This message corresponds to the messages of Jeremiah and Ezekiel, who prophesied of a future when God would give a new covenant and His people would have a new heart and new spirit (Jer. 31:31; Ezek. 18:31). This new era will be so wonderful that the Lord’s second promise is that the burden of past regrets and sufferings will be no more. God’s new creation will usher in a holy forgetfulness where human failure and sin along with its consequences will be remembered no more.

What attributes of God’s new creation give you greatest joy?

Day 2: God will eradicate sorrow for His people.

Read Isaiah 65:18-19, considering what having true joy really means. In Isaiah 29, God said He would oppress Jerusalem, and there would be mourning and crying. He would encircle it, lay siege to it, and bring it down as He would lead many nations against it. Over a hundred years after Isaiah’s prophecy, these words came to fruition as God directed the Babylonians, along with many nations under their control, to execute God’s judgment on Jerusalem and its inhabitants. When a remnant returned to Jerusalem from exile, they came home to a city in ruin and mourned over the reproach that the city had become. However, in the new era God has in store for His people, not only will the city be rebuilt and restored and the past be forgotten (v. 17), but God’s righteous anger against Jerusalem and its inhabitants will be replaced with the Lord’s rejoicing and gladness in them. This message also echoed David’s words concerning the Lord and His people: “For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor, a lifetime. Weeping may stay overnight, but there is joy in the morning” (Ps. 30:5). The people’s rejoicing will replace their weeping, and God’s delight in Jerusalem and its inhabitants will replace His disfavor. God will eradicate every possible source of sorrow for His people.

What do you think is the difference between joy and happiness? How would you illustrate the difference?

Read Isaiah 65:20, understanding the concept of a long life that God is promising. Premature death was common for children and adults alike during Isaiah’s day. However, the children who are born on this new earth will not die in infancy, and adults will live to a ripe old age. The Israelites appear to have understood seventy years to be a normal lifespan (Ps. 90:10), but in the new era, a man who would live only one hundred years would be thought of as having died young and if a man died younger than that then he would be considered cursed. God was rhetorically making the point that people will live long lives; the context suggests a premature death will not occur in this new age. Having children and living a long and healthy life were both understood to be signs of God’s blessing in ancient Israel and as God’s rewards to those who served Him in faithful obedience. (See Ps. 127:3-5a; Prov. 9:11; 10:27.) The passage indicates that in this new era the people of God will be devoted to God and He will bless them immensely.

What do God’s plans for you in the future reveal about His disposition toward you?

Day 4: God’s people will enjoy His blessings.

Read Isaiah 65:21-23, identifying the blessings God is promising His people. Deuteronomy 28:15-68 is a list of curses where Moses described what would happen when the Israelites broke God’s covenant by disobeying His law. These curses involved agricultural disaster, foreign invasion, deportation into exile, the reproach of foreign nations, and famine. Deuteronomy 28:30b particularly states that because of their unfaithfulness to the Lord the Israelites would build houses but not live in them and plant vineyards but not eat the fruit that they produce. In Isaiah 65:21-22a, the Lord stated just the opposite. He repeated this idea in both verses in order to emphasize the stark contrast between what the people had experienced with what they would experience in the future new era. The people of God would enjoy living in the homes they build and eating the fruit from the vineyards they plant. The implication should be apparent. Those living in the new creation will be devoted to Yahweh and keep their commitments to Him. Consequently, they would enjoy the blessings of the new covenant with the Lord. Their inheritance would be safe and secure. What God has in store for His people is imperishable, unspoiled, unfading, and eternally secure. In the last part of verse 22, the Lord spoke of more blessings: longevity of life, productivity, and the satisfaction of enjoying the fruit of their labors. The Lord used the simile of a tree to represent the vitality and durability of His people. The expressionmy chosen ones serves as a reminder that all of these blessings are expressions of God’s incomprehensible grace toward His people. God chose them to be His treasured possession even though they had done nothing to deserve it. He did it in spite of them.

How should the blessings God has in store for you affect how you live today?

Read Isaiah 65:24-25, noting the relationships that change. The Lord emphasized that the new heaven and earth would be characterized by peace between the created and the Creator— before they call I will answer—and peace between creatures— the wolf and the lamb. God will be attentive to the needs of His people. When they had strayed away from God in rebellion against Him, apparently, He had ignored their cries, but that would be no more. Thus, it indicates the sins that separated the people from God will be no more (Isa. 59:1-2). What is more, the harmony the people of God will enjoy with God will extend to all of creation. Nevertheless, the curse on sin will continue to stand as indicated by the serpent’s food being dust. Evil will be unable to destroy what God will establish on His holy mountain. God gave His word on it.

How does your idea of heaven compare to what Isaiah describes?

TALK IT OUT Reflect on the truths found in Isaiah 58, sharing with other members of your Bible study group. For additional context, How does promise of a “New Jerusalem” offer Isaiah’s read “A New Heaven and readers a future hope? a New Earth,” available digitally in the Fall How does prosperity in God’s future kingdom differ 2020 issue of Biblical from how we view or achieve prosperity? Illustrator for Explore the Bible at LifeWay. How does the absence of peace in our world make us com/BiblicalIllustrator. long for what God promises and provides?

Using the Daily Discipleship Guide to Lead a Bible Study Group

The Daily Discipleship Guide was created for the purpose of building disciples. As the leader of the group, you play a major role. You can build disciples through the group Bible study time, encouraging daily Bible engagement, facilitating smaller groups, and apprenticing future leaders. Building Disciples through the Group Time

Leading the group Bible study time is the most direct way you will build disciples. Each week, you will introduce the group to the Bible passage, examine the key message in that passage, and challenge the group to act on that passage. Doing so requires preparation. Here is a way to prepare that gives you adequate time to study the lesson and will make the session fresh in your own life. Early in the Week (Sunday or Monday)

• Ask God to open your mind and heart to His Word as you study. • Study the Bible passage. • Read the passage in your Bible, listing key words, phrases, places, and people. • Review the first five pages of the Daily Discipleship Guide for that session and the commentary provided in the Leader Helps for that session. On your list, add information discovered about the words, phrases, places, and people listed. • Consult the Explore the Bible Adult Commentary for additional insight. • Consult Biblical Illustrator for articles that give biblical backgrounds to the passage. • Pay careful attention to the Apply the Text section for that session, looking for ways you need to apply the Bible in your own life.

• Ask God to direct your creation of the group plan. • Create a group plan. • Review the group plan in the back of the Daily Discipleship Guide. • Adjust the plan to fit the needs of your group. • Consult QuickSource for additional ideas. • Review the weekly Adult Extra idea on the Explore the Bible blog (goExploreTheBible.com/LeaderExtras). • Note: You can create custom plans using the DOC file provided in the Digital Download for the Leader Pack—it’s the same content printed in the Leader Helps. • Complete the Daily Exploration activities in the days leading up to the group time. • Meet with a group of three to four other teachers to share and pray for each other. Use Talk It Out to start your conversation. • Start gathering items you plan to use in the group time. • Pull needed posters from the Explore the Bible: Leader Pack (or create your own using Visual Ideas on pages 160–161).

The Day before Group Study Time

• Pray for specific group members and their needs. • Review your group plan, making any additional adjustments. • Make sure you have all your resources gathered.

The Day of the Group Study Time

• Arrive early. • Pray for the study and the group members. • Lead the study, adjusting as you go.

Continued on next page

• Consider the After the Session idea at the end of the group plans. • Contact all group members, encouraging them to complete the Daily Exploration section and sharing gathered prayer requests and other appropriate information. • Record insights gained about teaching, group members, and Scripture. • Do it all again.

Building Disciples by Encouraging Daily Bible Engagement

As teachers, we have taken on the responsibility of encouraging everyone on our ministry list (class roll, membership list, etc.) to engage daily in Bible study. We can’t make them do it, but we can provide them with a tool and encourage them to use it.

Here are some ways to encourage your group to engage with the Bible daily.

• Ask them. That seems simple, but the simple is not always easy. Learn to comfortably ask if group members are studying the Bible. You may want to use a statement instead of a question, such as, “I hope you took a look at the Day 3 activity for this week.” It’s a question disguised as a statement, so it’s not as threatening. • Tell them. Let them know that you are using the Daily Exploration section as well. Set the standard. • Show them. Point to the Daily Exploration section at the conclusion of the group study. From time to time, demonstrate how to use the section, guiding them through Day 1 as a group. • Invite them. Call on pre-enlisted volunteers to share with the group what they are learning and how they are using the Daily Exploration section.

Building Disciples through Smaller Groups

Peter became the spokesman for the early church, preaching a sermon that registered three thousand decisions in one day. John, the youngest disciple, would live the longest of the Twelve and would be used to write a Gospel and to give us a glimpse into eternity through the Book of Revelation. James, John’s older brother, was the first of the Twelve to be a martyred. These three men were the three people that Jesus seemed to invest in the most. They were the three taken up to the mountain to see His transfiguration. They were the three called on to go further into the garden as He prayed awaiting His betrayal. The lives and deaths of Peter, James, and John remind us of the importance of smaller groups of three to four meeting to hold each other accountable for spiritual growth.

118 EXPLORE THE BIBLE © 2020 LifeWay Christian Resources At the end of every session, you will find a section entitled Talk It Out. This section is designed for smaller groups of three to four people to meet weekly. The goal of the smaller groups is simple: holding ourselves and others accountable for living a Christ-honoring life.

Create smaller groups: • Explain the importance of the smaller groups, emphasizing the goal. • Allow group members to form their own initial groups of three by gender (men’s smaller groups and women’s smaller groups). This tends to work better than assigning groups. • Allow groups to add one person from the names on the ministry list of people who are not present. • You may want to encourage the groups to form based on neighborhoods or proximity to work. • Make sure some of the groups have extra space for new group members and guests. • As the Bible study group grows, you may need to reorganize the smaller groups, but try not to regroup too often so that trust can be built within each smaller group.

Support the smaller groups: • Provide opportunities for the members of the smaller groups to pray with each other during the group time. • Make study assignments in the weekly group time based on the smaller groups. • Pre-enlist a volunteer to share with the larger group how participation in the smaller group is impacting his or her life. • Periodically organize fellowship events built around the smaller groups. The smaller groups could be the basis for teams during the event.

Be in a smaller group: • Meet with two or three other Bible study leaders as part of your weekly preparation. • Be part of a smaller group within your class. • Host a smaller group for guests and new group members.

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Starting new groups is critical to the life of your church and the lives of the individuals in your group. There are people in your group who need to be challenged to take on a greater role in your church. Providing the opportunity to do so helps them grow and removes the largest barrier to starting new Bible study groups—finding a leader for a new group. You can make a difference in the growth of individual group members and in the future growth of your church by apprenticing potential group leaders. Here’s how can use the Daily Discipleship Guide to make this happen.

• Step 1: Ask a group member to follow along in the Leader Helps for that session as you lead the group. Tell him or her to note what you did and what you adjusted. You are not providing a different book; you’re just encouraging your apprentice to use the book he or she has in a different way. Ask this person to do this before arriving for the weekly group time. • Step 2: After that group experience, spend time with the group member going over what you did and how you adjusted the leader material for the group. • Step 3: Invite him or her to do this again in a few weeks. • Step 4: Ask him or her to lead a group time or part of one using the suggestions in the Leader Helps for that session. You may be away that week, or you can simply observe as a group member. Offer to help him or her prepare if needed. • Step 5: As your apprentice gains confidence, allow him or her to teach more in the near future. • Step 6: As a need for a new group surfaces, prepare to move on to lead the new group, with the apprentice becoming the leader of the current group (which tends to work best), or commission the apprentice and a few others from the group to start a new group. Either way, the apprentice will be using the book he or she already uses, just in a different way. • Step 7: Do it all again.

Not everyone in the group will become a Bible study leader. For those who do, you can become a mentor to potential leaders, extending your teaching ministry and demonstrating discipleship.

FOCUS ATTENTION Isaiah), encouraging the group to look for these BEGIN: As the group arrives, invite them to themes as they go through the study. Lead the share about times they felt that someone took group to locate the Outline of Isaiah on page 9 their relationship with them for granted. Allow and point to Pack Item 2 (Outline of Isaiah) that them to express how they felt on the “took for is displayed on the wall. Highlight the first point granted” side of the relationship and how they of the outline to transition into today’s study. realized what was going on. SUMMARIZE: Briefly summarize Isaiah 1:1-9, RESPOND: After most have arrived, call pointing out that God confronted Israel about attention to the first paragraph on page 13 them being so far away from Him that they no and the questions included. Direct them to longer recognized Him. God told Israel His intent respond silently. When have you ever taken to bring them back to Him as a loving Father a relationship for granted? How did it would bring back a wayward child. affect the relationship? Were you able to READ: Invite a volunteer to read aloud do anything to get the relationship back on Isaiah 1:10-15, while the rest of the group looks track? (p. 13) Point out that one relationship for ways the people of Israel offended God. we may need to consider when answering these questions is our relationship with God. • (1:13) The offerings were useless because, in and of themselves, they did not accomplish TRANSITION: Explain that the Israelites took anything. The Israelites thought that the their relationship with God for granted, and God offerings appeased God and earned them His confronted them about it. Challenge the group to blessings. This idea of trading offerings and consider during today’s study if they are taking sacrifices for a deity’s blessing and protection God for granted and the actions they may need to was prevalent among the cultures around take as a result. Israel, and God’s people had adopted the same view. EXPLORE THE TEXT • (1:14) Observing the Sabbath demonstrated INTRODUCE: Explain that the group is trust in God. The story of God providing manna beginning a new study of Isaiah. Share a summary for the Israelites is found in Exodus 16:22-28. of the Introduction to Isaiah on page 8. Call In the episode, the people were told not to attention to Pack Item 3 (Poster: Themes of gather more manna than they needed daily.

121 © 2020 LifeWay Christian Resources Still, some took more and tried to save it. The DISCUSS: What are causes and ways manna rotted, but God did not chastise the believers today may fall into a pattern of people. On the sixth day, the people took a unacceptable worship of the Lord? What double portion and the extra portion for the warnings should we draw from Judah’s Sabbath did not rot. Yet, some people still mistakes? (p. 15) How should we approach went out to try to collect more manna on the God when we worship Him? seventh day. At this point God chastised the people and asked how long it would take them TRANSITION: Isaiah delivered God’s remedy for to truly trust Him. their unacceptable worship. • (1:15) The ultimate reason for this rejection READ: Direct the group to silently read is because the peoples’ hands were covered Isaiah 1:16-17 and circle the commands given. with blood. This language represents violence • (1:16) For Isaiah’s audience, washing was more toward each other and toward the innocent. than physically bathing. The word implies a The people were acting much like the citizens ritual bath done as part of preparation to enter of Sodom and Gomorrah. The Israelites did not into the Lord’s presence. Similarly, cleansing expect this to matter to God as long as they oneself meant putting away all sources made the appropriate sacrifices, but Isaiah of ritual impurity. Given the context of the showed them just how wrong they were. passage, washing and cleansing implied an IDENTIFY: Lead the group to identify the internal cleansing. different ways the worship of the Israelites CHART: On a writing surface, list the nine offended God. Allow them to include why the commands found in Isaiah 1:16-17. Lead the group action was offensive. Lead the group to explore to compare various Bible translations, looking possible reasons that their worship practices had for different ways the commands are worded. become unacceptable. Record any variances next to the corresponding DISCUSS: What attitudes might have made command. Guide the group to suggest synonyms these practices unacceptable? for each word. Use information from the Explore the Text (p. 15) and the Day 4 Daily Exploration (p. STUDY: Focus on verses 13-15. Place the group 18) as needed. into pairs, designating one person as the Exodus person and the other as the Deuteronomy person. ASK: How does following these commands Call attention to the Bible Skill (p. 15), directing fix the problems identified in verses 10- each person to locate the passage from their 15? How is following these commands an assigned book. Allow partners to complete expression of faith in God? the Bible Skill. Invite volunteers to share their DISCUSS: If being devoted to God in faithful findings. obedience does not earn our salvation, then why is it necessary for believers to be faithfully obedient to God? (p. 15)

122 EXPLORE THE BIBLE © 2020 LifeWay Christian Resources READ: Encourage the group to listen for CLARIFY: Call attention to the Key Doctrine the choice given as someone reads aloud (Salvation; p. 15). Emphasize that God was calling Isaiah 1:18-20. the people to repent and turn to Him. Note that God continues to make that offer today. Ask: How • (1:18) While God was rejecting ritual without important is the message of repentance to the relationship, He was not rejecting ritual and message of the gospel? How important is this sacrifice altogether. Even though their sins message to believers? were scarlet and crimson red, they could become white as snow and wool. Such a transformation involved sacrifice and the SUMMARIZE AND CHALLENGE spilling of blood. Ironically, the blood of the REVIEW: Direct the group to review Isaiah sin sacrifice would change the crimson red of 1:10-20, looking for what God seeks in those sin to the white that represents purity. If the who worship Him. Ask: What do these actions people were willing to truly settle things with reveal about the nature of worship? God and have their scarlet sins transformed to white, then they would be obedient to God and SUMMARIZE: Reintroduce Pack Item 3 His commands. (Poster: Themes of Isaiah). Lead the group to identify any of the themes that were in today’s • (1:20) ord The phrase, the mouth of the L has passage. Refer them to Apply the Text (p. 16) for spoken. These words demonstrate that what assistance. Isaiah had said was by the authority of God. They also closed the debate. There was no RESPOND: Prior to the group time, select one of more negotiation at this point; all that was the question sets under Apply the Text (p. 16). left was for the people of God either to listen Lead the group to respond to the selected and obey or to continue in their rebellion. The questions. You may choose to lead them to choice was theirs and ours. respond silently, challenging them to revisit this DISCUSS: Highlight verse 18, characterizing section through the week. God as taking the initiative. Ask: How does PRAY: Conclude the group time with prayer, God take the initiative today to bring people thanking God for taking the initiative to call us into a relationship with Him? How does His back to Him. Ask for courage to repent and return approach today compare with the approach to Him when He confronts us about our own sin. found in Isaiah 1? (p. 15)

HIGHLIGHT: Explain that verse 18 is the AFTER THE SESSION memory verse for this week. Distribute copies Contact group members who need to be of Pack Item 8 (Handout: Memory Verses encouraged, reminding them that a new study is Bookmark), challenging the group to memorize beginning, making it a great time to get back into verse 18 this week. the habit of participating in the group time.

FOCUS ATTENTION • (6:1) That the hem of his robe filled the temple RESPOND: As the group arrives, direct them is a way of stating that God’s presence and to share with a partner their responses to the glory filled the space in Isaiah’s vision. The following question: Identify an experience in Hebrew word translated temple here can also your life that you just can’t keep from telling mean palace, depending on the context. If the others. How did that experience impact temple in Jerusalem was the site of Isaiah’s your life? After most have arrived, share your vision, Isaiah would be standing in the holy response to the question. Invite volunteers to of holies—a space forbidden to all people share their responses as well. except the high priest who could only enter once a year. TRANSITION: Read the first paragraph on • (6:2) Within the throne room were seraphim page 13 to help the group focus on life-altering with six wings. We do not know much about experiences that include God. Explain that Isaiah these creatures, and even their name is a bit of shared about an experience that impacted his a mystery. The root word means “burn,” so the life greatly. Challenge the group to look for how seraphim are sometimes called “the burning Isaiah’s encounter with God impacted his life. ones.” Whether this means they were bright and shining or there was some sort of heat EXPLORE THE TEXT that radiated from them is difficult to know. INTRODUCE: Distribute copies of Pack Two sets of the wings were used to show Item 7 (Handout: Isaiah Time Line). Note key deference to God. events surrounding Isaiah’s life, highlighting • (6:3) The triple statement (holy, holy, holy) Uzziah’s death. Call attention to Isaiah 6:1. Review is the superlative in the Hebrew language. Pack Item 1 (Map: Prophets of the Eighth In other words, the seraphim were not just Century) for further understanding of the timing declaring God holy; they were declaring God is and events surrounding Isaiah. the most holy being there is.

READ: Call for a volunteer to read aloud RESPOND: Invite volunteers to highlight the Isaiah 6:1-4, as the group listens for ways God is element in the passage that stands out most to described. them. Allow them to explain. Clarify as needed using information from the Leader Guide and your personal study.

124 EXPLORE THE BIBLE © 2020 LifeWay Christian Resources REVIEW: Call attention to the repeating of the the prophet for his task. He would be able to word “holy” in verse 3. Explain that the repeating speak for God and with God. Isaiah’s iniquity was of the word three times was a Hebrew way of taken away and his sin was atoned for. He would declaring something supreme. be able to stand in God’s presence because of God’s action on his behalf. ASK: How should God’s holiness affect how we think about God and how we live for EXAMINE: Direct the group to read the Him? (p. 15) comments in the Day 3 Daily Exploration (p. 18). Guide them to discuss with a partner TRANSITION: Isaiah continues by sharing his the comments read. Challenge them to identify response to what he witnessed. the sentence that gives them the most hope or assurance. Direct partners to discuss their PROPOSE: Direct the group to read silently responses to the question at the end of the Isaiah 6:5, and prepare to describe Isaiah’s comments for verses 6-7. After allowing for response in one word. Allow volunteers to discussion, invite volunteers to share insights propose their chosen word (potential words: gained by reading and discussing the paragraph fearful, humbled, repentant, honest). Record and question. Emphasize that God took the words on a board. Allow the group to share about initiative in forgiving Isaiah of his sin and that God experiences when they encountered God and takes the initiative in providing salvation to us responded in a similar way. through Jesus. SEARCH: Call attention to cross references listed TRANSITION: God broke the silence, posing a with verse 5 included in a study Bible (potential question to which Isaiah responded. references: Ex. 33:20; Isa. 59:3; Jer. 9:3-8). Assign the passages to volunteers, directing them to READ: Direct the group to read silently locate the passage. Allow them read the passage Isaiah 6:8-10, looking for Isaiah’s response. aloud. Ask: How do these passages help us better understand Isaiah’s response? • (6:8) The question drew an eager response from Isaiah. Having experienced both the DISCUSS: What does Isaiah’s response holiness and forgiveness of God, the prophet reveal about humanity? What was was eager to serve. the importance of Isaiah declaring his • (6:9) Isaiah received his mission, and it was sinfulness? not a pleasant one. The people would continue READ: Before you read aloud Isaiah 6:5-7, to see what was in front of them without really call for the group to observe God’s actions. grasping its significance. ASK: How would you characterize Isaiah’s • (6:7) In response to Isaiah’s realization and response? fear, one of the seraphim flew to Isaiah with a glowing coal to purify the prophet. When applied DISCUSS: How is Isaiah’s response connected to Isaiah’s lips, the coal in some fashion purified to God granting him forgiveness? How is our

125 © 2020 LifeWay Christian Resources willingness to share with others about Jesus SUMMARIZE AND CHALLENGE connected to Him granting us forgiveness? REINFORCE: Remind the group of the beginning MINI-LECTURE: Present a brief summary of activity (sharing life-defining moments). Lead the comments about verses 9-10. Emphasize that them to discuss how this encounter with God God called Isaiah to proclaim God’s message was a life-defining moment for Isaiah. Invite clearly, regardless of the response. volunteers to share how their encounter with Jesus was a life-defining moment for them. READ: Comment that if we were told that Inform the group that you will be available people would not respond to us delivering God’s following the group time to share with anyone message, we would most likely wonder how long who wants to know more about Jesus and His we were to deliver that message. Call for a offer of forgiveness. volunteer to read Isaiah 6:11-13, directing the group to listen for God’s answer to Isaiah. REVIEW: Call attention to the four statements under Apply the Text (p. 16). Challenge the group • (6:11) Isaiah’s eagerness to serve turned to to select one statement they most need to know something like discouragement or despair. We or be reminded of. Direct them to record in the can feel for the prophet at this point, for no margin their reasons for selecting that statement, one wants to continue a miserable task longer assuring them they won’t be asked to share than they have to do so. It is also important to aloud. Challenge them to reflect each day this remember that the prophet loved his people. week on that statement. Having his message rejected and being isolated as a result would bring emotional pain. RESPOND: Prior to the group time, select one of the question sets under Apply the Text. Lead the • (6:13) God gave Isaiah cause for hope. He group to respond to the selected questions. described the people of God as the stump of a felled oak tree. While it appeared dead, it still PRAY: Conclude the group time with prayer, had life in it. From that stump, a seed of life thanking God for inviting His people to deliver His would germinate. From a remnant, the people message. Ask that God help the group be faithful of God would be renewed. in delivering His message. PROBE: Invite volunteers to share responses they might have anticipated to Isaiah’s question. AFTER THE SESSION Direct attention to the passage outline (p. 14) Reinforce the session by leading the group to and the title given for this section of the passage create prayer lists comprised only of people who (God’s Persistence). Lead the group to discuss have yet to accept Christ. Find out more about how God’s persistence is seen in this passage. this idea in “It Starts with Prayer” at LifeWay. Focus on God continuing to offer salvation com/TrainingResources. through faith in His Son. Encourage the group to be thankful that God is persistent in the pursuit of a relationship with His people.

FOCUS ATTENTION had refused to join the coalition, so Pekah and RESPOND: Prior to the group’s arrival, write the Rezin sought to replace Ahaz. Isaiah was sent by statement “Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth” God to assure Ahaz of God’s promises. on a board. As the group arrives, encourage them READ: Call for a volunteer to read aloud to propose ways this saying might have originated Isaiah 7:7-9, as the group listens for the warning without using any electronic devices. After most given by Isaiah. have arrived, point to the first paragraph on page 21 to explain the meaning of the phrase. Allow • (7:7) Through Isaiah, God stated point blank the group to share ways they might say the same that Ahaz had nothing to worry about; what thing today. Highlight responses that emphasize he feared would not happen. God expressed being grateful for a gift received. this fact twice to emphasize the certainty that there was nothing to worry about. The EXPLAIN: In Isaiah 7, a gift was offered to difficulty for Ahaz and Judah was believing it. King Ahaz, and yet he paused to take a look at The reality they faced was a gathering army on the mouth. The offer came from God, and we their doorstep. Trusting God’s promise before it will learn more about the offer in our study. Ask: comes to pass is always a challenge, even for Why are people sometimes prone to believe the most faithful. they can do better than what God offers them? (p. 21) Challenge the group to look for the • (7:9) Isaiah’s prophecy came with an dangers of failing to trust God. admonition to Ahaz and Judah as well: stand firm in your faith. King Ahaz had to act on faith. He and the people of Judah needed to EXPLORE THE TEXT align their actions with the idea that God would INTRODUCE: Use information from Pack deliver them. Item 10 (Handout: The Kings Isaiah Served) and CLARIFY: Direct the group to review the Understand the Context (p. 21) to introduce Ahaz. comments on verses 7-9 (p. 25). Lead them to Focus on Ahaz’s regular habit of ignoring God. propose how knowing this information gives us a Explain that King Pekah of Israel allied with King different understanding of Isaiah’s presence. Rezin of Syria with the hope of forming a coalition of nations that could stop the advancement of the ASK: How was God’s sending Isaiah an act Assyrians. King Jotham (Ahaz’s father), and Ahaz of His grace? Emphasize the ending phrase in

127 © 2020 LifeWay Christian Resources verse 9 to help the group understand that God discussion by asking the group to identify what was giving Ahaz an opportunity to turn to Him the need for a sign reveals about humanity. in faith. ANALYZE: Place the group into teams of three. RESPOND: Explain that God’s message sent Direct each team to review Isaiah 7:11-13, paying through Isaiah was filled with hope for the particular attention to Ahaz’s response. Guide future. Invite the group to share promises in the each team to agree on a three-word-or-less Bible that bring them hope. Call attention to descriptor that characterizes Ahaz’s response. the questions at the end of the first column on Invite representatives to share their team’s page 23. Direct the group to share with a partner descriptor. their responses to the questions. Allow a few volunteers to summarize what they heard from CREATE: Call for the teams to identify ways others in the group. people try to disguise their unbelief. Invite a representative from each team to share their READ: Direct the group to read silently lists. Combine the responses to create a master Isaiah 7:10-13 to discover Ahaz’s response. list. Challenge the group to examine their lives in the week ahead for ways they mask their unbelief. • (7:12) Ahaz’s statement was a cover for what he had already decided to do. He would not TRANSITION: God offers a sign in spite of believe the promise of the Lord and act in Ahaz’s unbelief. faith; instead, he would seek his own solution. READ: Direct someone to read aloud Isaiah • (7:13) Isaiah saw right through Ahaz. Isaiah 7:14-15, as the group listens for the sign offered. marked Ahaz’s excuse for what it was. The impersonal house of David phrase likely • (7:14) Understanding the historical context of served as a warning to Ahaz that he was still Isaiah 7 can actually help us appreciate the standing only because of God’s covenantal sign being applied to Jesus. When Matthew promise to David. quoted Isaiah 7:14 (Matt. 1:23), he was pointing to the context of Isaiah and Ahaz’s situation. REVIEW: Call on a pre-enlisted volunteer to summarize Exodus 3 and Judges 6 and the At both points in history—Isaiah’s time and difference between the two types of signs God Matthew’s time—the threats and oppression provided. Focus on the importance of recognizing of a foreign power faced the Jewish people; God in both signs. Allow the group to suggest the people wondered if God would take care other instances when God offered a sign to give of them; the leaders were tempted to rely confidence to a person or group (examples: Noah on their own power and plans to assure their and the rainbow, the shepherds at Jesus’ birth, future; God provided a sign that indicated He the resurrection promised in three days). was indeed present and in control. In both cases, the people and leaders were faced with DISCUSS: What does God’s offer to give a choice. Would they believe in God and trust Ahaz a sign reveal about God? Transition the Him, or would they rely on themselves?

128 EXPLORE THE BIBLE © 2020 LifeWay Christian Resources • (7:15) Dairy was a staple in the ancient Near REACTION: Invite the group to share the East, as it provided nourishment and was readily emotions expressed in verses 16 and 17. Guide available. The honey was likely used to help them to compare the emotions sensed in this offset the more sour-tasting curds. A child passage with the emotions experienced today would need to be at least a year old before when a person rejects God and His provision. these were given to them. Interestingly, after the punishment of God, the people of Judah would DISCUSS: What sources of security do have to survive on this food as well (7:22). people turn to today as a substitute for trusting God? (p. 23) How do these sources PRESENT: Distribute copies of Pack Item 9 eventually turn on them? (Handout: Isaiah’s Messianic Prophecies). Call attention to the third item listed (born of a virgin). Read Matthew 1:22-23 and the Key Doctrine. SUMMARIZE AND CHALLENGE Explain that Matthew understood Jesus to be the REVIEW: Call attention to the four statements fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy. under Apply the Text (p. 24). Lead the group to identify specific verses in today’s passage that ASK: How does God’s keeping His promise support each statement, recording the passage to send the Messiah, the Lord Jesus reference next to each statement. Allow them to Christ, affect our trust in God in other offer other summary statements to add if they matters? (p. 23) desire and a reference that supports them. TRANSITION: Isaiah assured Ahaz that the RESPOND: Prior to the group time, select child would be born in poverty in part because of one of the question sets under Apply the Text. his failure to trust God. He then pronounced God’s Lead the group to respond to the selected judgment on Ahaz. questions. Remind the group to complete the READ: Direct the group to read silently Daily Explorations to reflect more deeply on Isaiah 7:16-17. the passage.

• (7:16) God explained that before the promised PRAY: Conclude the group time with prayer, child reached the stage of being able to thanking God for being gracious and providing His discern good from evil, the nations that Ahaz Son as proof that He is faithful to His promises. worried about would be gone. Somewhere between birth and eating more solid food— AFTER THE SESSION within two to four years—the threat from the Reinforce the session by gathering the group for northern enemies would be eliminated. a time of sharing ideas for celebrating Christmas. • (7:17) Ahaz had made up his mind to appeal to Include an opportunity for discussing ways to tell Assyria and Assyria was happy to oblige, but at others about Jesus during the Christmas season. a high cost: Ahaz had to pay a large amount of tribute or protection money.

FOCUS ATTENTION LOCATE: Direct attention to Pack Item 1 (Map: RESPOND: As the group arrives, direct them Prophets of the Eighth Century). Highlight the to create a name tag using their first name and city of Tyre. one thing that causes them to question who is READ: Read aloud Isaiah 23:8, as the group really in control. Encourage the group to greet listens for clues about how Tyre viewed itself. others and give details about what they recorded on their name tags. After most have arrived, • (23:8) While we don’t normally associate invite volunteers to share one thing that causes traders or merchants with royalty or power, another person present to question who is really Tyre’s wealth and reputation were such that in control. Lead the group to categorize the items her traders were viewed like royalty with shared (examples: events in nature, life changes, crowns. Her merchants were given great honor political/world events, acts of violence). because everyone wanted to benefit from the trade. Everywhere in the known world, the TRANSITION: Highlight any responses given businessmen of Tyre were treated with respect. that point to political or world events. Summarize the information found in the first paragraph on PROPOSE: Direct the group to scan the page 29. Challenge the group to look for ways God comments on verse 8 in the Day 1 Daily demonstrates His power even over the rise and Exploration (p. 33), looking for information about fall of nations. Use Pack Item 3 (Poster: Themes the city of Tyre. Invite the group to share what of Isaiah) to emphasize that God is “the Sovereign Isaiah’s description of Tyre reveals about how Lord of History.” its citizens viewed themselves. Help the group understand the invincible attitude presented by Isaiah. EXPLORE THE TEXT ASK: What are the dangers of assuming you INTRODUCE: Call attention to the outline or your organization are invincible to any on page 9 or refer to Pack Item 2 (Outline of attacks or future changes? Isaiah). Highlight the third section of the outline to introduce today’s session. Use information from READ: Direct the group to read silently Understand the Context (p. 29) for more details. Isaiah 23:9-12 to discover the fate awaiting the Explain that the study will focus on one of these citizens of Tyre. judgment pronouncements of Isaiah as an example.

130 EXPLORE THE BIBLE © 2020 LifeWay Christian Resources • (23:9) Isaiah removed all doubt about who them to read the assigned passage to the rest would orchestrate the fall of Tyre with all its of the group. Ask: What attributes of God wealth. He stated that the Lord of Armies are most seen in this title? Clarify as needed would do it. The prophet added the description using information from this Leader Guide and of Armies to show that God is in charge of your study. Distribute copies of Pack Item 14 all of the armies of the world. As impressive (Handout: Names of God in Isaiah), encouraging as Tyre was and as extraordinary as its the group to circle the title “Lord of Armies” and inhabitants and those associated with them record insights gained about the title on their thought themselves to be, they would be no copies of the handout. match for the Lord and His armies. DISCUSS: On a board, write: God is just in all • (23:10) The regular flooding of the Nile River He does (the first summary statement under was crucial for the survival of Egypt and her Apply the Text on p. 32). Ask: How does Isaiah’s economy. The surrounding land was very pronouncement show God’s justice? How is dry—almost desert. Egypt’s agriculture could recognizing that God is just in all He does not survive without the rich silt and water just as important as recognizing any of God’s from the Nile. The image of this great river’s other attributes? (p. 31) regular flooding would have been familiar to Isaiah’s audience and the people of Tyre. In TRANSITION: Isaiah presents an example as this particular case, though, the people were evidence that God will act. the ones who are “flooding” or pouring forth READ: As you read Isaiah 23:13-14, direct the in order to get away from the invading forces. group to identify the evidence pointed to by Isaiah They would flee the city in a bid to escape that God acts. capture and death. • (23:11) The reference to Canaanite fortresses • (23:14) The phrase wail, ships of Tarshish is a reference to Tyre. The religion of the brings this oracle full circle, tying the end Canaanites likely derived from the Phoenicians, of this poetic judgment section back to its and they had more in common with the beginning by repeating the opening phrase. Phoenicians to their north than they did with (See 23:1.) The ships were addressed as if they Egypt to their south. Thus, Isaiah combined were alive; they were a metaphor for the loss the future destruction of Tyre with the past of the port and trade of Tyre. Even though Tyre destruction of the Canaanites by Joshua. was a fortress with tall walls, it would not stand against the judgment of God. STUDY: Call attention to the title “Lord of Armies” in Isaiah 23:9. Point to the title “Lord of CLARIFY: Use information from the Day 3 Daily Armies” on Pack Item 5 (Poster: Names of God Exploration (p. 34) to identify the Chaldeans. in Isaiah) which you have displayed in the room. Emphasize how the Chaldeans may have been Lead the group to complete the Bible Skill (p. 31). perceived in the same way as the citizens of Tyre. Assign volunteers the passages listed, allowing

131 © 2020 LifeWay Christian Resources DISCUSS: On the same board where the remembered”). Lead the group to focus on this previous summary statement was written, write: phrase and the lengths a person or group will go God actively directs the affairs of His creation. for the hope of being remembered. Point out that Lead the group to discuss other examples a the desire to be remembered seems to have been person might give to support this statement an important motivator for the citizens of Tyre. (ex: Noah and the flood, the plagues in Egypt, crossing the Dead Sea, or the conquering of ASK: How do human desires get in the way Jericho). Ask: How does God demonstrate His of honoring God? Which desires are the power through the affairs of nations? (p. 31) greatest obstacles for people when it comes to honoring God? TRANSITION: Up until this point in the pronouncement, the tone has been one PROPOSE: On the board add: God’s plan of judgment. However the tone of the includes all nations honoring Him. Guide the pronouncement changes after verse 14. group to identify how the citizens of Tyre would one day honor God. READ: Direct the group to read silently Isaiah 23:15-18, looking for how the SUMMARIZE AND CHALLENGE pronouncement changed. REVIEW: Call attention to the session summary • (23:17) In these verses we see that the statement under the title for this session (p. 28): Lord would restore Tyre after her time of God controls the rise and fall of nations and punishment had been completed. Yet the result powers. Lead the group to identify how the three of this restoration is not what the reader would summary statements written on the board relate expect. The city would go back into business. to the summary statement for the session. The city of Tyre would resume her business and trade—actions described as engaging in RESPOND: Prior to the group time, select one of prostitution with all the kingdoms of the world the question sets under Apply the Text (p. 32). Lead throughout the earth. the group to respond to the selected questions. • (23:18) In an ironic twist, the wages that PRAY: Conclude the group time with prayer, the citizens of Tyre earned would ultimately praising God as the One in control. be dedicated to the Lord. The Phoenicians intended to provide a lavish level of living AFTER THE SESSION for themselves but would ultimately end up supporting those dedicated to God Himself. Reinforce the session by evaluating the extent to Even as other cities had once supported Tyre which your group honors God. Allow leaders within as the center of trade, Tyre would support the group to suggest key factors that indicate those who serve the Lord in Jerusalem. a group honors God and use those indicators to conduct the evaluation. Identify actions to take to FOCUS: Highlight the last two phrases in Isaiah improve based on the evaluation. 23:16 (“sing many a song so that you will be

FOCUS ATTENTION REVIEW: Using the outline, briefly review the BEGIN: Before the group arrives, write the promises and judgments covered in Sessions 1–4. following phrase on a board: The best laid plans … Encourage the group to research the meaning of EXPLORE THE TEXT this phrase on their electronic devices. After most CHALLENGE: As you read Isaiah 25:1-10a, of the group have arrived, finish the sentence by notice the truths revealed about what God writing ... of mice and men often go awry. has in store for His people. How does the DISCUSS: Direct attention to the first sentence promise of a future serve as motivation to on page 45: People who have a plan for success remain faithful to God? and implement that plan are admirable. READ: Call for a volunteer to read aloud Encourage discussion as to whether they agree or Isaiah 25:1-5, as the group notes the reasons disagree with this statement and why. Ask: What Isaiah gives for praising God. are some reasons our plans go awry? • (25:1) The phrase I will praise your name may TRANSITION: Encourage the group to follow be familiar to us from reading Scripture, but along as you read aloud the rest of the first it is not a normal expression in English. In the paragraph on page 45. Point to the session Bible, and the ancient Near East in general, summary statement (p. 44), and direct the group a ruler or deity could lay claim to people or to underline the word sovereign. Emphasize that property by metaphorically (and sometimes God’s plans can’t and won’t be thwarted: Isaiah’s literally) placing his name on them. The name understanding of this led him to praise God. was representative of the king or deity’s Challenge the group to consider how they view presence. A king could place his name on God’s sovereignty in their lives. a place or building, and it was understood INTRODUCE: Direct the group to read silently that it belonged to him. Here, the remnant the first paragraph in Understand the Context sang praise to God and His name, thereby (p. 45). Lead the group to locate the Outline acknowledging that they belonged to Him. of Isaiah on page 9 and point to Pack Item 2 Being His possession gave them great joy. (Outline of Isaiah) that’s displayed in the room. • (25:3) The word therefore points to the fact Explain that the study is moving into “IV. First that strong people will honor God because of Cycle of General Judgment and Promise.” His overthrow of the barbarians’ fortified cities.

133 © 2020 LifeWay Christian Resources Even the violent nations will fear God when ASK: What is the benefit of believers being they see His power to overthrow them. mindful of their inadequacies? (p. 47)

• (25:4-5) Isaiah carried the idea of God as READ: Call on someone to read Isaiah the protector of the less fortunate forward 25:6-8. Direct the group to take note of who by using weather imagery. God is a refuge accomplishes each action listed in these verses. from storms and shade from heat, protecting the poor from the aggressive and violent • (25:6) The phrase this mountain refers to oppressors who got ahead by subjugating Mount Zion. When compared to mountains in others. Even though their proverbial breath the rest of the world, Mount Zion is relatively is described as a blast furnace, their uproar small and unremarkable. Yet this is often the would be subdued instead of them subduing way God does things: it is not the nature of the others. At just the right time, God would come place or person that makes it amazing but the between the oppressor and the victim. Like the presence and power of God. Isaiah stated that shade of a cloud that passes between the sun it is there that God would prepare a feast for and the one stuck under its heat, God would all the peoples, with Mount Zion serving as a come between the violent aggressors and the metaphor of a changed world. ones crying out to Him for help. • (25:8) As part of the removal of sorrow, God RESPOND: Invite the group to discuss promises will remove his people’s disgrace. A faithful of God that seem almost inconceivable. Point out remnant of God’s people had trusted in Him that Isaiah praised God with certainty that He would throughout the ages; they had been disparaged accomplish all He had promised and planned. and mocked by the rest of the world for it time and time again. God promised that someday DISCUSS: On a board, write the phrase, “Self- the ones who remain faithful will have their sufficiency will not suffice.” Direct the group faith vindicated. The Lord guaranteed this to verses 2-5 to identify phrases that describe promise with the statement, for the Lord humanity’s assumed self-sufficiency and God’s has spoken. response. Invite the group to respond out loud to the phrase written on the board and discuss how CHALLENGE: Highlight the memory verse for it relates to God’s plan for salvation. this session found on Pack Item 8 (Handout: Memory Verses Bookmark). Distribute bookmarks APPLY: Encourage the group to spend a few to anyone who does not have one from a minutes writing in the margins of their study previous session. guides the ways they have tried to be self- sufficient instead of looking to God, assuring CONNECT: Refer to Pack Item 9 (Handout: them they will not have to share these out loud. Isaiah’s Messianic Prophecies), and distribute Challenge the group to use this list to spend time copies as needed (originally distributed in in prayer this week, asking God to help them trust Session 3). Guide the group in locating Isaiah Him in all situations. 25:6-12 on the handout. Invite volunteers to read aloud 1 Corinthians 15:54 and Revelation 21:4.

134 EXPLORE THE BIBLE © 2020 LifeWay Christian Resources ASK: How is your understanding of Isaiah SUMMARIZE AND CHALLENGE 25:8 impacted by these verses? Challenge REVIEW: Call attention to the summary the group to memorize Isaiah 25:8 at home, statements under Apply the Text on page 48. highlighting the benefit of recognizing cross- Direct the group to slowly read each statement references in Scripture. starting with the last statement, followed by the ASK: How does the defeat of death point to second statement, and then the first. As they the peace God offers to His people? (p. 47) read, encourage them to record in the margins a time in their lives when they experienced each DISCUSS: Read Isaiah 26:12 aloud. Guide the statement. Challenge them to use these as group in discussing God’s role in our salvation reminders to praise God continually throughout versus our role in salvation. Refer to Ephesians the week. Inform the group that you will be 2:8 to emphasize that God saves us by grace, available following the group time to speak with through faith in Christ Jesus. anyone who wants to know more about placing their faith in Christ and enjoying His peace. READ: Before you read aloud Isaiah 25:9-10a, encourage the group to look RESPOND: Lead the group to respond to the for connections between verse 9 and verse 1 that second question set under Apply the Text on was read at the beginning of the session. page 48: Discuss as a group ways of enjoying God’s peace today. How does the promise of • (25:9) With the phrase this is our God, the a future complete with peace impact how reader is given the second bookend to the your Bible study group functions? What section that started with “you are my God” changes need to be made to make your in verse 1. This is a declaration of covenantal group a more peaceful place? commitment. However, the singular has changed to a plural, no doubt because of the PRAY: Conclude the group time with prayer, inclusion of the nations at this point. praising God for His faithfulness in saving those COMPARE: Lead the group in discussing the who believe in Him. Consider using Isaiah 25:1 as similarities and differences between verses 1 and your guide for the prayer. 9. Focus on the importance of trust and faith in God, highlighting Isaiah’s praise even before God’s AFTER THE SESSION plan came to fruition. Reinforce the session by following up with anyone PROBE: Direct the group to highlight the who spoke with you after group time about placing following sentence in the Day 5 Daily Exploration their faith in Christ and experiencing His peace. on page 51: God will reward those who trust in Him and patiently wait on Him. Invite the group to discuss what can make waiting difficult and what can make waiting easier. Ask: What role does faith play in waiting for God? (p. 47)

FOCUS ATTENTION against Assyria (to the northeast) instead of BEGIN: As the group arrives, display a picture looking to the Lord for deliverance. of a recognizable movie or television character READ: Call for a volunteer to read aloud who always keeps his or her cool in a crisis Isaiah 31:1-3, as the group looks for contrasts (e.g., someone from a spy movie, a doctor, or a between God’s help and Egypt’s help. detective). Encourage discussion about how this character typically responds to a crisis • (31:1-3) The Egyptian army was a powerful one with advanced weaponry. Horses and chariots ASK: How do you normally respond could mean the difference between winning in a crisis? and losing a battle. Judah, by contrast, likely DISCUSS: Allow for several responses, and then had few cavalry soldiers or chariots. The power follow up with the introduction questions on page of Egypt was a tempting prospect. Judah had 53: How does a crisis reveal a person’s true chosen to trust in the power they could see character and beliefs? Why does a crisis rather than to trust in God. What made this bring out the best and worst in a person? choice even worse was the fact that it flew in the face of a direct command recorded in TRANSITION: Read aloud the final sentence of Scripture. Deuteronomy 17:14-20 prohibited the the first paragraph on page 53:For the Israelites, exact elements that Isaiah listed in 31:1—the the threat of war served as a test of their faith, king was not to accumulate horses or return revealing their true character. to Egypt. Returning to Egypt was expressly forbidden because God had delivered the EXPLORE THE TEXT people from bondage there. More than any other alliance, one with Egypt was forbidden. INTRODUCE: Use information from Pack Item Instead, the king was to focus on learning 10 (Handout: The Kings Isaiah Served) to briefly God’s instruction and living by it. Returning introduce Hezekiah. (Note: Session 7 will cover to Egypt was tantamount to returning to the Hezekiah in more depth). Encourage the group to bondage of sin after having been freed of it. locate Judah on Pack Item 1 (Map: Prophets of the Eighth Century). Explain that Isaiah warned ASK: Why is it so tempting to look to the people of Judah of the consequences of something or someone else besides the Lord seeking an alliance with Egypt (to the south) for help? (p. 55) Guide the group to verses 2-3

136 EXPLORE THE BIBLE © 2020 LifeWay Christian Resources to see the foolishness of trusting someone or SUMMARIZE: Use the information found in the something other than God. Day 3 Daily Exploration (p. 58) to summarize the promise of these verses. HIGHLIGHT: Suggest that looking to the Egyptians for help was particularly offensive. CHALLENGE: Why does God remain faithful Guide the group in completing the Bible Skill even when we are not? Remind the group that (p. 55). Remind the group that God had delivered God has established a covenant with His people. His people, the Israelites, out of slavery in Egypt. REACTION: Display a picture of a lion TRANSITION: Just as God passed over the guarding its prey. Assert that in verse 4, the children of Israel during the tenth plague on lion represents God, while the prey represents Egypt in Moses’s day, God would again spare His people, Israel. Guide the group in discussing His people even though they had not remained what’s encouraging about this representation and faithful to Him. what’s troubling.

READ: Invite someone to read Isaiah 31:4-5. DISCUSS: Divide the group into four teams. Encourage the group to focus on God’s response Call for the teams to compare this depiction of to Israel’s unfaithfulness. God as a lion with other depictions of God in the Bible that use animal-imagery. Direct the teams • (31:4) God is depicted as a lion or young lion to all review Isaiah 31:5. Then assign one of the who growls over its prey. A lion would not be following verses or sets of verses to each team: intimidated by shepherds who shout and make (1) Exodus 19:3-5 and Deuteronomy 32:10-12; (2) loud noises to frighten it away. The key idea John 1:29-30 and Isaiah 53:7; (3) Luke 13:34; (4) here is that this lion is the Lord of Armies, and Matthew 11:28-30. Call for the teams to consider no man or army can overcome Him. how these Scriptures add to an understanding of • (31:5) The second depiction of God is that of God’s character. Invite representatives to share a mother bird. In a startling and yet deeply their findings. moving switch, the Lord of Armies is presented as a bird that sought to protect Jerusalem by ASK: How can one explain the display of hovering or flitting back and forth to distract God’s judgment and God’s mercy happening the predator seeking to destroy the bird’s at the same? What is the significance of nest. A mother bird will seek first to attack God’s unwavering faithfulness to believers the intruder and drive it away. If that does not when they are sometimes not faithful to work, the bird will try to lead the predator Him? (p. 55). Propose Jesus on the cross as away from the nest. Either way, the bird will fulfillment of God as both just and justifier, repeatedly put itself between the dangerous referencing Romans 3:25-26. enemy and its beloved offspring. The image READ: Direct the group to read Isaiah 31:6-9 reveals that this all-powerful God is deeply to discover the appropriate response to God’s attached to His people. After judgment, He compassion. would protect them.

137 © 2020 LifeWay Christian Resources • (31:6) The people had greatly rebelled against ASK: Notice the actions Isaiah called God—words that describe intentional action. the people to take. Are these actions The people had made the conscious choice to prerequisites for God’s compassion or enlist the help of Egypt instead of relying on responses to God’s compassion? Guide the the Lord, even though they knew that trusting group to support their answers with the text. Egypt meant rejecting God. God’s people and their leaders had chosen to turn their backs on ASK: What does Isaiah’s message communicate God in a premeditated way. about God’s love for His people? • (31:7) At its core, idolatry is any effort to SUMMARIZE: Use the information found in the control the uncontrollable. The temptation Day 5 Daily Exploration (p. 59) to explain how God in the garden of Eden was to become enough fulfilled His promise to defeat the Assyrians. like God that Adam and Eve could have control and be independent of Him. Likewise, having SUMMARIZE AND CHALLENGE and worshiping idols gives people the illusion of having some control over the gods—and REVIEW: Direct attention to Pack Item 6 therefore some control over their destiny (Key Verse: Isaiah 30:18). Encourage the group and security. In the face of God’s judgment to read the key verse aloud together. Then call and grace, however, all pretense of having attention to the summary statements under Apply control fades to nothing. The sin of seeking the Text (p. 56). Invite the group to discuss how independence from God is revealed for what it each statement is related to the key verse. is—an impossibility. In this light, God becomes RESPOND: Discuss what it means to wait more precious than any metal or jewel, as on God. What makes waiting on God such a these things can never give one any real challenge and a test of our faith? How can control anyway. the group help each other better wait on • (31:8) Isaiah made it clear that divine power God? (p. 56) would accomplish the downfall of Assyria. PRAY: Conclude the group time with prayer, There would be no doubt in the minds of the thanking God for His faithfulness and asking for Assyrians or the Judeans who was behind the help in remaining faithful to Him. destruction of the Assyrian military machine; Assyria will flee from the divine sword. It is highly likely that this prophecy was fulfilled AFTER THE SESSION when God sent the angel of death to destroy Reinforce the session by following up with group the besieging Assyrian army (2 Kings 19:35). members who need to be encouraged as they face This event fits well with our passage, since it a time of trial or crisis. Offer to pray with them, was brought on by the repentance of Hezekiah, reminding them of God’s sovereignty and love. Ask and the city of Jerusalem was saved as a if there are opportunities for you or other group result (see 2 Kings 19; 2 Chron. 31–32). members to provide additional support.

FOCUS ATTENTION item (1). Briefly summarize items (2) and (3) from BEGIN: As the group arrives, invite them to this paragraph. These events are also recorded in share their responses to the following question 2 Kings 18–20. (p. 61): Share about a time when you needed TRANSITION: As we study Hezekiah’s prayer someone else to help you. What made you turn to recorded in Isaiah, consider the role prayer that person for help? Encourage discussion about currently plays in your own life. what made them realize they needed help. PRESENT: Use Pack Item 12 (Handout: RESPOND: After most of the group has arrived, Judah’s Eighth-Century Neighbors), Pack Item summarize the first paragraph on page 61. Call 10 (Handout: The Kings Isaiah Served) and the attention to the following sentence from the end information found in the Day One Daily Exploration of this paragraph: Recognizing one’s inadequacy (p. 65) to provide the background to Hezekiah’s and seeking God’s help is a sign of wisdom. Ask: prayer. Do we need to recognize our inadequacy in order to turn to God in prayer? Is this READ: Invite someone to read aloud Isaiah weakness? Why or why not? 37:14-20. Direct the group to look for Hezekiah’s motivation. TRANSITION: Direct the group to that sentence on page 61 again, and encourage them to • (37:14) The gesture of spreading out the letter underline the final phrase:seeking God’s help is was part of the posture of petition. Hezekiah a sign of wisdom. Explain that Hezekiah exercised likely bowed in some way or was on his knees wisdom when he turned to God in a time of crisis. with the letter in his outspread hands. He brought the letter that contained the arrogant words of the Assyrian monarch before God EXPLORE THE TEXT while assuming a position of humility himself. INTRODUCE: Use information from Pack • (37:15) Hezekiah addressed God as Lord of Item 10 (Handout: The Kings Isaiah Served) and Armies. There is both great reverence for God Understand the Content (p. 61) to highlight key and irony in making these his first words. On events in the life of Hezekiah. Call attention to the one hand, Hezekiah readily acknowledged the last paragraph in Understand the Context. that the Lord was in charge. The irony is Point out that Isaiah 36–39 cover three events in that the mighty army of the Assyrians sat on Hezekiah’s reign, with this session focusing on

139 © 2020 LifeWay Christian Resources Jerusalem’s doorstep. Thus, in this very first crisis. Lead them to record insights in the margin phrase, Hezekiah acknowledged that God was of their copy of the Daily Discipleship Guide. indeed in control of the situation. Hezekiah could not stand against the army of Assyria, READ: Call on someone to read God’s but God could. Indeed, God was in control of response, delivered through the prophet the Assyrian army, even if they did not know it. Isaiah, as recorded in Isaiah 37:30-32. Encourage the group to listen for indications of • (37:16) Because God is the one who made God’s timing in answering Hezekiah’s prayer. the heavens and the earth, He is the one who controls everything in them. In the context of • (37:30) God stated that He would give Isaiah 37, Sennacherib may not have realized it Hezekiah a sign that the defeat of the yet, but he was about to get a lesson on what Assyrians was coming soon. Within three the only living God could do. He did not control years’ time, the agricultural cycle of the land God; God controlled him. would be back to normal. This may seem a bit strange to the modern reader, but for the ASK: What do Hezekiah’s actions in verses 14-15 reveal about his character? Emphasize people of Judah, the disruption of the planting Hezekiah’s humility. Call for someone to read and harvesting cycle could result in death by Proverbs 28:26. Ask: What might keep a starvation. person from turning to God first? How does • (37:32) According to Isaiah, the sign promised the urgency of a situation impact who a to Hezekiah would be accomplished by the person turns to for help? (p. 63) zeal of the Lord of Armies. This was a nod to the time of Ahaz. In Isaiah 9:7, God promised STUDY: Direct the group to highlight the words that the messianic age would come one day or phrases used by Hezekiah to describe God and that its coming would be accomplished in verses 16-20. Invite the group to share what by “the zeal of the Lord of Armies.” It seems stood out to them about the highlighted section. likely, then, that Isaiah, in speaking of the Emphasize the Key Doctrine (God) on page 63. restoration of Judah after the removal of the DISCUSS: How does knowing God’s identity Assyrian invaders, was also hinting at the instill confidence? greater restoration that would come at a future EXAMINE: What does Hezekiah’s prayer point in time. teach about priorities when praying to God? EXPLAIN: In verses 22-29, God promised to (p. 63) Write answers on a board. Emphasize that frustrate Sennacherib’s plans. Direct the group the basis for Hezekiah’s prayer was God’s character to scan the Day 4 Daily Exploration (p. 66) for an not Hezekiah’s own character, and the motivation explanation of the sign promised in verses 30-32. for his request was God’s glory, not his own glory. GUIDE: Hezekiah had a prophet who spoke God’s GENERATE: Invite the group to use Hezekiah’s word directly to him and explained signs from prayer and the notes on the board to develop an God. Call for the volunteer who studied Hezekiah’s outline, template, or guide for prayer in times of life to present his or her findings to the group.

140 EXPLORE THE BIBLE © 2020 LifeWay Christian Resources PROBE: How does Hezekiah’s situation GUIDE: Stress that God doesn’t always offer compare with our situation when it comes physical deliverance from every crisis, but to trusting God? Ask: How important is believers may be assured that we have the expressing trust when praying to God? How security of His presence in every situation. does trusting in God’s promises affect the mindset of believers when praying? (p. 63) SUMMARIZE AND CHALLENGE READ: Call for a volunteer to read Isaiah REVIEW: Call attention to the summary 37:33-35, as the group listens for why God statements under Apply the Text (p. 64). answered Hezekiah’s prayer. Direct the group to make notes beside each statement explaining how these truths were • (37:33) God stated that not only would seen in Hezekiah’s life. Invite the group to share the king of Assyria fail to enter the city of examples of ways these truths are seen in the Jerusalem, he would not shoot an arrow there. lives of other people in the Bible. Sennacherib would not get close enough to the city to be in range to fire an arrow at the RESPOND: Lead a discussion of the first defenders. Likewise, he would not be close question set under Apply the Text on page 64: enough to need a shield to defend against the What situations have you hesitated to take arrows of the soldiers on the walls of the city. to God in prayer recently? Take time to • (37:35) God stated He would deal this boldly approach Him, following Hezekiah’s blow to Sennacherib and the Assyrians for lead. Record your thoughts after having my sake. Since the Assyrian monarch had done so. You may choose to lead them to directly threatened God, he would be forced respond silently, challenging them to revisit this to recognize the power of God. If Jerusalem section later in the day or week. fell to the Assyrians, it might be seen as a PRAY: Conclude the group time with prayer, lack of ability on God’s part to defend His focusing on God’s character and His will and people in light of such a direct mocking by purposes. Consider using the template you the Assyrian ruler. Instead, Sennacherib was generated in the session for your prayer. a tool in God’s hands and would learn that the hard way. God was not obligated to act either because of Hezekiah’s humble and repentant AFTER THE SESSION plea or because of the Assyrians’ mockery. Yet Reinforce the session by evaluating your group God’s character is such that He turned toward prayer time. Invite leaders within the group His people when they repented and brought to identify actions to improve the communal judgment on the arrogance of the Assyrians. prayer time during your group or to find ways to CONSIDER: What do verses 33-35 convey strengthen the communication of prayer requests about the purposes and character of and praises outside of the weekly group time. God? (p. 63)

FOCUS ATTENTION READ: Call for a volunteer to read aloud BEGIN: As the group arrives, encourage friendly Isaiah 40:18-20, as the group identifies who debate by comparing pairs of people who are is accomplishing the actions described in considered to be the top of their relative fields these verses. (e.g., two professional basketball players, two • (40:18) With an unmistakable sarcasm, Isaiah famous scientists, two musicians). The people asked, What likeness will you set up for being discussed can be current or historical. As comparison with him? The word translated as you discuss, list the pairs on a board for those likeness takes the reader back to the creation who may still be arriving. of humanity: Adam and Eve were created in TRANSITION: These comparisons may be up the likeness and image of God. Yet here, men for debate, but there is no room for debate when were tempted to make a likeness of a god. The trying to compare anything or anyone to God. inverted nature of this action is the reason for Isaiah understood that God is beyond comparison, the prophet’s sarcasm. Why would mankind as the only one true God, Creator and Sustainer of worship something that he himself has made? everything. Direct attention to the final sentence How can such a thing be greater than him in in the first paragraph on page 69:God alone is any way? Furthermore, why wouldn’t people worthy of worship and trust, and the one who worship the One who created them? trusts in the Lord will not be disappointed. • (40:19) Choosing to worship an idol is completely foolish, since the people control EXPLORE THE TEXT the process of making the image from beginning to end. In addition, it’s readily INTRODUCE: Summarize the information in the apparent that the created idol has no power first paragraph of Understand the Context (p. 69). at all. It has to be made. It doesn’t move. It Direct attention to Pack Item 7 (Handout: Isaiah doesn’t speak. It doesn’t eat. It definitely didn’t Time Line) as you explain that Isaiah 40–66 are put the people of God into exile, and it will not prophecies given by Isaiah in the eight century be the one to bring them out of exile! BC that looked ahead to the Babylonian exile and beyond. Point to Pack Item 2 (Poster: Outline of CLARIFY: The questions posed in verse 18 arise Isaiah) to emphasize that we are moving into “VII. from the proclamation of God’s greatness in the The Greatness of God.” preceding verses.

142 EXPLORE THE BIBLE © 2020 LifeWay Christian Resources PROBE: Invite volunteers to read the following dried stubble in the wind. Even as people are verses aloud: Psalm 18:2; Isaiah 40:11; and like grass or grasshoppers when compared to John 6:35. Ask: How is this type of imagery God, earthly leaders are like vegetation that and metaphor different from what Isaiah sprouts up and then dies. In comparison to condemned in verse 18? Emphasize: Biblical God, the seemingly huge impact of a human metaphor shows similarities between two leader is a very small thing. different things, often to make a complex idea ASK: Why might people be tempted to look more understandable. Isaiah warned against to created things for strength and safety worshiping created things instead of the Creator instead of the true Creator, God? of all things. CROSS-REFERENCE: Lead small teams DISCUSS: Invite the group to discuss why Isaiah to complete the Bible Skill activity on page considered idolatry absurd. 71: Compare Isaiah 40:21 with Job 12:7-9 and ASK: Why are people often more impressed Romans 1:20-23. How do these passages point to by the work of human hands than all that the reality of God? What are the common themes God has done? (PSG, p. 76) How does Isaiah found in these passages? What can we learn reveal the foolishness of this? about God from His creation? If necessary, clarify with an example: Romans 1:20 provides additional READ: Direct a volunteer to read Isaiah understanding of God’s natural revelation, which 40:21-26, calling the group to listen for the is referenced in Isaiah 40:21. Invite the teams relationships between the Creator and the creation. to share with the group. Declare that observing God’s creation should lead to worship of and trust • (40:22) The universe is akin to a tool in God’s in the Creator, but sinful humans often turn their hands. While this imagery speaks to us of worship and trust to the creation instead. the power and majesty of God, it said much more to Isaiah’s audience. The pagan religions DISCUSS: How should knowing that God is of the ancient Near East described the gods the Creator and is directing the affairs of making the heavens from their own bodies. In His creation affect a believer’s daily life? some Mesopotamian stories, one god defeats Highlight God’s sovereignty over rulers, many another and crafts the heavens and earth from of whom were worshiped in the surrounding the dead god’s corpse. Most ancient people, countries. Say: God is also the Creator and then, believed that creation was made from Sustainer of the stars, which were also often the same divine substance as their gods. As worshiped in the day of Isaiah. a result, the gods were tied to the world they operated in and were affected by it. Not so TRANSITION: While we are insignificant with Israel’s God. He was wholly apart from compared to God, we find hope in knowing that what He had made. we have been created by this same mighty and sovereign God who created and sustains the • (40:24) Most vegetation on earth only lasts entire universe. a season before it withers and flies away as

143 © 2020 LifeWay Christian Resources READ: Invite a volunteer to read Isaiah RESPOND: Direct the group to read silently the 40:27-31. Encourage the group to look for the last paragraph of Understand the Context change in tone at the end of these verses. (p. 69) and respond in silent prayer. Ask: How has your understanding of trusting God • (40:30-31) Young men will tire, but God will changed as a result of today’s discussion? not. The message is that human strength will fail every time; the only sure strength is found in God. God’s people must put aside SUMMARIZE AND CHALLENGE their efforts to rescue themselves and wait for REVIEW: Call attention to the bulleted summary God’s deliverance. To wait implies hope and statements under Apply the Text (p. 72). Guide the expectation. Thus, it is not waiting without group in discussing how the distinction between hope, but waiting with the full expectation that Creator and creation applies to each of these God will act. statements. Challenge the group to consider this PROBE: Read verse 27. Ask: Is it OK to distinction throughout the week and worship God complain to God? What can we do or say if in response. we feel forgotten by God? Highlight the first RESPOND: Guide the group to locate the paragraph in the Day 5 Daily Exploration on page memory verse on Pack Item 8 (Handout: Memory 75. Then discuss the difference between the Verses Bookmark). Then lead them to respond Israelites’ grumbling when they wandered in the to the second question set under Apply the Text desert with Moses and David crying out to God (p. 72): As a group, memorize Isaiah 40:31. in the psalms. Say: When we approach God with Discuss what difference it makes in the our fears, we should do so with an expectant and lives of believers when they completely trusting heart. Encourage the group to reflect on place their trust in God for both the present this in the Day 5 Daily Exploration (p.75). and future. How can the group help each RESPOND: Review the names of God listed on other to continue to place their trust in God? Pack Item 5 (Poster: Names of God in Isaiah) and You may choose to lead them to respond silently, Pack Item 14 (Handout: Names of God in Isaiah). challenging them to revisit this section later in Call for volunteers to share what specific names the day or week. have meant to them while facing past fears or PRAY: Conclude the group time with prayer, uncertainty. praising God as the Creator and Sustainer of ASSERT: In verse 28, the tone shifts. The the universe. incomparable attributes of God are presented as reasons to hope and trust in Him. AFTER THE SESSION EMPHASIZE: We are renewed when we trust in Reinforce the session by encouraging volunteers to the Creator. reach out to anyone from your group who needs to be encouraged with the knowledge that God is our inexhaustible Source of strength.

FOCUS ATTENTION READ: Call for a volunteer to read aloud BEGIN: List the following categories on a board: Isaiah 46:3-7. Encourage the group to pay 3-6 month plan, 1 year plan, 5 year plan, and attention to the claims God made about Himself 10-20 year plan. As the group arrives, encourage in this passage. volunteers to fill in any category on the board for • (46:4) God described Himself with a series which they have a goal they are working toward. of “I” statements. These descriptions are Invite a few volunteers to briefly share the plans linked to the idea of a father caring for His for one of their goals. Ask: What is something child. God stated, I will be the same until that could hinder you from accomplishing your old age and I will bear you up when you this goal? turn gray. These two statements reinforce TRANSITION: Direct the group to the last the images of sustaining and carrying from few sentences of the first paragraph on page verse 3. God’s past actions were a template for 77, which discuss God’s plan. Emphasize that what He would do in the future. As He saved nothing can hinder God from accomplishing His His people from Egypt, so too would He save plan. Invite a volunteer to read the Summary them from Babylon. God used two further “I” Statement for this session: The one true God is statements to further clarify this idea that incomparable; He will complete His plan to save the people will always be dependent on Him. His people. He first explained, I have made you. In other words, the existence of Jacob or Israel was a result of God’s creative activity. He went on to EXPLORE THE TEXT state, I will bear and rescue you. The Hebrew is INTRODUCE: Direct the group to read silently emphatic: “I myself will bear you.” The focus the first paragraph in Understand the Context of the people needed to be on their God instead (p. 77). Point to the Key Doctrine (p. 79). Call on of on their situation. the group to write one-sentence summaries of PRESENT: Summarize the information about God’s plan to save His people. Note that you will idols found in the Day 2 Daily Exploration (p. 81). return to these at the end of today’s study. Emphasize that the Lord declared these idols CHALLENGE: As we study Isaiah 46, consider would be a burden, brought low, and carried off how God’s incomparability leads us to trust in His as spoils of war. Highlight that the Lord declared ability and willingness to complete His plan. these idols would be unable to save anyone (v. 7).

145 © 2020 LifeWay Christian Resources CONTRAST: How did the Lord contrast phrase, I declare the end from the beginning, Himself with these idols? God made it clear that rather than being a sign of His defeat, the exile was actually evidence COMPARE: Distribute copies of Pack Item 11 of His control of events. God had repeatedly (Handout: Primary Idols in the Old Testament), warned the people that if they failed to turn or direct the group toward Pack Item 4 (Poster: away from their sin, they would be exiled from Primary Idols in the Old Testament) that’s the land of Israel. However, there was also displayed in the room. Consider the descriptions hope, for God promised that when the people of Bel and Nebo. What are some parallels turned back to Him, He would rescue them. you see to idols (man-made gods) that our society worships today? ASSERT: God called on His people to remember the things of the past and trust Him with the future. CONSIDER: Guide the group to the Bible Skill (p. 79). Encourage them to spend a few minutes CONNECT: Use the following sets of questions silently considering ways they have seen verse to guide the group in a discussion of God’s 4 to be true in their own lives. Urge the group to plan of salvation. Divide the group into two use the Bible Skill this week to memorize verse 4. teams. Direct the first team to discuss the following questions: At the time of Isaiah, ASK: How might we describe the difference how had God demonstrated His power in between idols that are carried and God the past? What promises had God made carrying His people? How does God carry His in the past? Direct the second team to people today? (p. 79) discuss the following questions: How has God demonstrated His power since the time of READ: Before you read aloud Isaiah 46:8-11, Isaiah? What promises of His are we still call for the group to look for the reminders and holding to today? promises God gave in these verses. SHARE: Bring the teams back together, and • (46:8-9) In a similar fashion to verse 4, God invite a volunteer from the first group to present once again used “I” statements to emphasize their findings, followed by a volunteer from the His uniqueness. No other gods had a part in second group. Highlight God’s eternal sovereignty. the past, present, or future events playing out Redirect any statements that imply God’s plan is in the lives of the Israelites. No human or idol ever out of His control. could be credited with the events of history. Only God was present at the beginning through PRESENT: The Scriptures clearly teach the to the people’s current situation. Only God importance of God’s people remembering what He would be with them in the future. has said and done. Ask: How does reflecting on • (46:10) God is all-powerful and has always what God has done in the past give us reason been. As further support for these ideas, God to trust Him today? Emphasize this statement: reminded the people that He had predicted God is not figuring things out as He goes, and He the events they were experiencing. With the does not act on a whim.

146 EXPLORE THE BIBLE © 2020 LifeWay Christian Resources READ: Ask someone to read Isaiah 46:12-13, REVIEW: Call attention to the bulleted summary as the group listens for what God requires of His statements under Apply the Text (p. 80). Lead the people and what He promises to do for His people. group in discussing why it is essential to each of these statements that God is the one true, • (46:13) Even the unbelief of the house of incomparable God. Jacob would not stop God’s plans. He would save the ones who believed by bringing RESPOND: Lead in a discussion of the first His righteousness near. Deliverance would question set under Apply the Text (p. 80): happen on God’s timetable at exactly the Discuss as a group ways of sharing the time He determined. God described this as truths found in this passage to help people my salvation; it belonged to Him. The people understand their need for Jesus. With whom could do nothing to save themselves. Only God can you share the truth about idols and could deliver them and return them to their any item that gets in the way of worshiping land. The restoration of the people had always God? How can you use the truths from this been the plan. The exile and punishment were passage to help them understand the need always meant to produce the needed change in for trusting Jesus alone for salvation? the hearts of the people so that they could be restored to a right relationship with the Lord. REFLECT: As time allows, lead the group to respond silently to the second question set on REWRITE: Direct the group to turn back to the page 80: In what areas of your life are you in need one-sentence summaries they wrote of God’s of God’s assurance? How does this passage give plan for salvation at the beginning of the session. you assurance in those areas? Thank God for Guide them in considering how Isaiah 46:12-13 being faithful to His plans. further clarifies their understanding of God’s plan of salvation. Call on someone to read Romans PRAY: Conclude the group time in prayer, 10:8-9. Encourage the group to consider these praising God for His incomparability and verses as they continue to refine their sentences. faithfulness. Emphasize God’s grace and mercy. Then allow volunteers to share their summaries. AFTER THE SESSION ASK: How should the mercy and grace God Reinforce the session by evaluating idols that are a shows hardhearted rebels against Him particular temptation in your city or for your group. affect how believers relate to God, other Invite the group to join you in a time of prayer, believers, and unbelievers? (p. 79) asking God to bring low these idols (man-made gods) and reveal their futility to the people in your SUMMARIZE AND CHALLENGE area and group. SUMMARIZE: Reintroduce Pack Item 3 (Poster: Themes of Isaiah). Guide the group in identifying which themes were in today’s passage.

FOCUS ATTENTION REVIEW: Direct the group to scan the remaining FOCUS: Before the group arrives, write three paragraphs in Understand the Context and “COMFORT” vertically on a board for an acrostic. underline descriptions of the Servant that remind As the group arrives, invite individuals to consider: them of Jesus. What or who gives you comfort when you CHALLENGE: As we read Isaiah 49:1-13, are facing a seemingly impossible situation? note the actions to be taken by the Servant. (p. 85) Direct the group to write answers on the How are these actions seen in Jesus and board that correspond to the letters of “comfort” His work? (for example, C could equal chocolate). Multiple answers can go with each letter. READ: Call on someone to read aloud Isaiah 49:1-4, as the group looks for indications of a DISCUSS: Encourage the group to look for Servant who is greater than the nation of Israel. common themes among the answers. Ask: How does that item or person give you comfort? • (49:1) God’s promise to redeem His people led to the question of how He would do so. The TRANSITION: Direct the group to the summary answer lies in the person of the Servant, who statement for this session (p. 84): The one true speaks in this passage. He declared that he God is compassionate; He comforts His people. was called prior to his birth and named while Emphasize that Isaiah recognized God as the one still in his mother’s womb. This language true Comforter for His people, a truth that would also reflects the intimate relationship God find ultimate fulfillment through Jesus Christ. has with His servant. It’s clear that this is no ordinary human being. Rather, the Servant EXPLORE THE TEXT had a special mission, was known by God, and belonged to God. INTRODUCE: Direct the group to the Outline of Isaiah on page 9 of the Personal Study Guide and • (49:2) The fact that the Servant’s mouth point to Pack Item 2 (Outline of Isaiah) that is was like a sharp sword is startling. The displayed on the wall. Invite the group to locate language suggests that while God’s people the section: “VIII: Peace Brought by the Servant- were expecting military deliverance from Messiah.” Use the first paragraph of Understand their enemies, this would not be the Servant’s the Context (p. 85) to briefly introduce the mission. The Servant would use God’s words to Servant Songs of Isaiah. bring about the deliverance of His people.

148 EXPLORE THE BIBLE © 2020 LifeWay Christian Resources DISCUSS: Invite the group to share observations following question: How do Jesus’ actions as about the greatness of the Servant. Highlight the the Servant of the Lord apply to believers Servant’s authority as evidenced by the phrase today? Fill in comments about Jesus’ role under “listen to me.” Emphasize the Servant’s reach to the “Jesus” column. Emphasize Matthew 23:37 all nations and people. and John 8:12 when discussing Jesus.

EXPLAIN: Draw attention to verse 3. Utilize READ: Direct a volunteer to read Isaiah information in the Day 2 Daily Exploration (p. 89), 49:5-7, as the group pays attention to what the to explain how the servant is both Israel the Servant is called to do. nation but also an individual who would redeem Israel and the nations. Remind the group to • (49:5-6) The Servant was tasked to bring review Day 2 during the week. back Jacob to him. When the Servant accomplished this, Israel would be gathered CHART: On a board, create three columns to him. The phrase to him pointed not only to labeled “Israel,” “Jesus,” and “Believers.” the restoration of God’s people but to their Explain: Isaiah, as God’s spokesperson, gave reconciliation with God Himself. The salvation the words to Israel, but the role of the Servant of Israel was only the beginning. God stated is ultimately fulfilled by Jesus. However, as that it was too light a thing for the Servant to believers, we are also called to play a role in raise up and restore the tribes of Jacob. The God’s redemptive plan. people of Israel were always the preserved because of God’s covenantal grace. But this ASK: Invite the group to discuss ways Isaiah status was not because of anything they had 49:1-4 describes Israel, as a volunteer makes notes done, nor was it meant to be an end in itself. under the column titled “Israel” on the board. Israel should have been a light for the nations EXPLAIN: Guide the group in understanding how and brought others to seek the Lord. Since Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of the Servant, they had failed, the Servant would now carry noting comments under the column titled “Jesus.” out this task as their representative, even while he would save them at the same time. APPLY: Encourage the group to look for ways The Servant would solve the core problem of these verses apply to our role in God’s redemptive Israel and the whole world—sin and separation plan, making notes in the last column. (Note: from God. In so doing the Servant’s salvation Continue this activity for each section of Scripture.) would reach to the end of the earth. ASK: How can knowing that God vindicates DISCUSS: How did God use Israel’s difficult His children help believers learn to trust situation to carry out His purposes for them Him with the results and timing? (p. 87) How and for the world? What are some other might our own role in this plan comfort us? examples in the Bible of God using difficult circumstances to bring about His purposes ASK: Guide the group to complete the Bible Skill (e.g., Joseph sold into slavery, persecution activity on page 87. Then discuss together the of the early church in Acts 8:1-8)?

149 © 2020 LifeWay Christian Resources COMPARE: Continue the activity introduced in GUIDE: Share a mini-lecture on the fulfillment of the previous section. Direct the group to Acts 1:8 messianic prophecies as found in Isaiah 49:6-12. and Matthew 5:14-16 when discussing the role of Distribute copies of Pack Item 9 (Handout: Isaiah’s believers. Messianic Prophecies). Discuss how prophecies spoke to the people receiving them about their ASK: What role does today’s believer play current situation but also spoke of the future. as a bearer of the light, one who carries the Consider utilizing Explore the Text (p. 87), a message of the gospel? How does that role commentary on Isaiah, the Introduction to Isaiah relate to the work done by the Servant? (p. 8), and a Bible dictionary for your presentation. (p. 87) Record answers in the column titled “Believers” on the board. SUMMARIZE AND CHALLENGE READ: As someone reads aloud Isaiah REVIEW: Call attention to the summary 49:8-13, encourage the group to underline the statements under Apply the Text (p. 88). Using the promises of God. information in the comparison chart created as • (49:8) The identification of the Servant of the you studied the passage, discuss each summary Lord in this passage as Jesus is confirmed statement. Guide the group in adding to the by the declaration that the Servant will be a chart based on the statements or adding to the covenant. Imagine how perplexing this must summary statement based on the chart. have been for Isaiah’s audience who lived ASK: How has your understanding of being hundreds of years before Jesus. Covenants comforted by God changed as a result of were agreements between people or between this study? people and God. Yet the Servant would be a living covenant that joined the people to God in RESPOND: Prior to the group time, select one of the day of salvation. the question sets under Apply the Text (p. 88). Lead RESPOND: Which of God’s promises stands the group to respond to the selected questions. out to you? Why do you think this promise PRAY: Conclude the group time with prayer, would have given confidence to an exiled praising God for including believers in His Israelite? redemptive plan for the world. COMPARE: Add insights to the chart on the board. Emphasize that Israel’s return from exile AFTER THE SESSION foreshadows the return of all nations to God. Reinforce the session by following up with PROPOSE: God promised to deliver His people attendees who have expressed uncertainty about from physical captivity to Babylon. However, more their role in God’s work. Prayerfully consider importantly, God promises to deliver His people an area of service where they might be gifted from spiritual captivity to sin and death. He and encourage them with volunteer or service accomplishes this through His Servant, Jesus. opportunities in or through your church.

FOCUS ATTENTION PREPARE: Provide copies of Pack Item 13 BEGIN: As the group arrives, distribute blank (Handout: Isaiah 53 in the New Testament) index cards and pens. Direct the group to review and copies of Pack Item 9 (Handout: Isaiah’s the first paragraph on page 93, and write the Messianic Prophecies) as needed. Explain that name of a person or group of people who have you will use these to explore how Jesus Christ sacrificed something for them. Lead the group to fulfilled the role of the Servant. tape the cards to the wall or a prepared board. READ: Invite a volunteer to read Isaiah DISCUSS: Once most of the group has arrived, 53:1-3. Encourage the group to develop a mental invite a few volunteers to explain the name picture of the person being described. they placed on the wall and how that person’s • (53:1) With the phrases, who has believed sacrifice has impacted them. Ask:How do you and to whom has the arm of the Lord been honor or celebrate this person and his or her revealed, Isaiah related the difficult reception sacrifice? the Servant would receive from the people. To TRANSITION: Encourage the group to underline think that the God of Israel, the Creator of the the last two sentences of the first paragraph universe, would work through one individual on page 93: Isaiah told of a Servant who would in such a miraculous way did not register with come for the purpose of paying for our sin so that the people of Isaiah’s day. Indeed, the fact that we could have peace with God. Through faith in the Servant would claim to be the arm of the the sacrificing Servant, we find forgiveness and Lord would be seen as downright blasphemous restoration. unless that Servant was God incarnate. • (53:2) Isaiah indicated that the Servant would EXPLORE THE TEXT grow up just like any other child. He would not suddenly appear in a blinding light. In fact, the INTRODUCE: Use information from Understand individual in question would be nothing special the Context (p. 93) to introduce the last of the to look at. The Servant would not stand out four servant songs (Isaiah 52:13–53:12). Highlight in terms of physical attributes but would look that this song focuses on the Messiah’s suffering quite ordinary. and provides insight into how God deals with sin in a way that is both just and merciful. Share DISCUSS: Emphasize the rhetorical nature of Romans 3:25-26. verse 1. Invite the group to discuss how God’s

151 © 2020 LifeWay Christian Resources people had demonstrated hardness of heart in the the animal sacrifices given in the temple, the past. Then discuss how God’s people continued to Servant would be a substitute for the people demonstrate these attitudes during Jesus’ time who hated Him so much. The shocks keep on earth. coming. Isaiah revealed that the Servant’s substitutionary suffering was brought about by ASK: What kind of person did you picture as the hand of God. these verses were read? State that God often uses weak people to accomplish His purposes. PROBE: On a board, write “Substitute,” and In the case of the Servant, God used what looked then under that write “The Servant” on one side like weakness to manifest His strength. and “Us” on the other. Provide a brief definition of substitutionary atonement. Then guide the STUDY: Guide the group to understand how group in using verses 4-6 to list on the board in verses 1-3 pointed to Jesus. Direct them to the appropriate column things that the Servant Pack Item 13 (Handout: Isaiah 53 in the New receives and what we receive. Ask: Based on Testament). Note that this handout shows these verses, what does humanity deserve? where New Testament authors quoted Isaiah 53. Guide them in locating and reading the DISCUSS: Why might people be reluctant to sections that refer to Isaiah 53. Then direct the accept that they deserve this punishment? group to find the row on Pack Item 9 (Handout: From page 95: What single phrase stands out Isaiah’s Messianic Prophecies) labeled “Isaiah to you the most in verses 4-6? Explain. 52:13–53:12,” referencing Jesus being rejected HIGHLIGHT: Stress the Key Doctrine (God the Son) by His people. Assign volunteers to read the on page 95. Say: Jesus honored the divine law by His corresponding verses in Matthew under “New personal obedience, and in His substitutionary death Testament Affirmation.” on the cross He made provision for the redemption ASK: Why was it essential for Isaiah to of men from sin (1 Pet. 2:21-25). introduce the Servant in these terms? How CROSS-REFERENCE: Repeat the exercise does this introduction point to our need for from the previous section, this time utilizing the a Savior? row labeled “Isaiah 53:4-5,” when Jesus suffered READ: As you read aloud Isaiah 53:4-6, place vicariously, listed on Pack Item 9 (Handout: emphasis on the collective pronouns (i.e., we, Isaiah’s Messianic Prophecies). Next, invite us, our). Encourage group members to think of the group to locate and read the passages on themselves as part of this group. Pack Item 13 (Handout: Isaiah 53 in the New Testament) that correspond to Isaiah 53:4-5. • (53:4-5) These verses show that the Servant Encourage volunteers to share how this impacts would suffer physically. What is even more their understanding of Isaiah 53:4-6. surprising is that this suffering would be unjust. The Servant would suffer on behalf READ: Call on someone to read aloud Isaiah of others because of their sins. Much like 53:7-9, directing the group to pay attention to the Servant’s attitude.

152 EXPLORE THE BIBLE © 2020 LifeWay Christian Resources • (53:7-9) Isaiah emphasized the Servant’s CLARIFY: Use the comments in the Day 4 Daily willingness to be a sacrifice for others. The Exploration (p. 98) to clarify the meaning of words oppressed and afflicted emphasize the these verses. Explain why the Servant was the external nature of the abuse suffered. The only acceptable sacrifice. Highlight the future Servant would not bring affliction on Himself promises Isaiah spoke for the Servant and the but would be oppressed by others. Despite the Servant’s spiritual children. injustice of this situation, the Servant opened not his mouth. This idiom reflects the idea that ASK: How does what the Servant did for you He would not complain. strengthen your love and commitment to Him? (p. 95) ASK: How would you describe the Servant’s attitude? What motivated this attitude? SUMMARIZE AND CHALLENGE ANALYZE: Refer back to Pack Item 9 REVIEW: Call attention to the summary (Handout: Isaiah’s Messianic Prophecies). Focus statements under Apply the Text (p. 96). Invite on the row labeled “Isaiah 53:7,” when Jesus was the group to give examples of how each of these silent when accused. Then call on a volunteer to statements is seen in Jesus Christ. Guide group Why was Isaiah 53:7-8 read Acts 8:32-35. Ask: members in locating Scripture references for a good starting point for Philip to share the each idea using Pack Item 9 (Handout: Isaiah’s How does the good news? Ask from page 95: Messianic Prophecies), Pack Item 13 (Handout: willingness of the Servant demonstrate His Isaiah 53 in the New Testament), smartphones, or love for people? How does it demonstrate a Bible concordance. His love for the Father? RESPOND: Prior to group time, select a READ: Ask a volunteer to read aloud Isaiah question set under Apply the Text (p. 96). Lead the 53:10-12 , calling on the group to observe God’s role. group to respond to the selected questions. • (53:10) The obvious question is how a just PRAY: Conclude the group time with prayer, God could desire such a thing for an innocent praising God for His justice and mercy. individual. The answer is that the Servant was an offering for guilt. The notion of the Servant as a guilt offering has already been hinted at. AFTER THE SESSION Here though, all doubt is removed. The Servant Reinforce the session by gathering the group for was not only like a guilt offering; He was a guilt a time of Thanksgiving fellowship with a focus offering. The One sacrificed was not guilty but placed on thanksgiving to God for forgiveness of paid for the guilt of others through His death. sin. Consider various options for gathering (e.g., ASK: How does the cost paid by Jesus to potluck meal, dessert bar, or coffee social). Enlist secure salvation for all who place faith in volunteers to create decorations, crafts, or projects Him support the idea that there is no other to reinforce the idea of thanksgiving toward God. way to the Father? (p. 95)

FOCUS ATTENTION nine, which explained what God expects from BEGIN: On a board, write “All people are those living under His peace. Invite the group to hypocrites. Agree or disagree?” As the group highlight the summary statement for this session arrives, encourage them to read the introductory (p. 100): The one true God is just; He expects paragraph found on page 101 and consider the His people to demonstrate their faith through question included under that paragraph. right living.

DISCUSS: Once most of the group has arrived, READ: Call on someone to read aloud Isaiah direct attention to what you wrote on the board. 58:1-5, as the group listens for indicators of the Challenge the group to discuss and provide people’s hypocrisy. reasons or examples. • (58:3) This verse reveals exactly where the TRANSITION: Encourage the group to people went wrong. They stated that even highlight the last sentence in the introduction though they had fasted, God had not seen their paragraph (p. 101): The prophet Isaiah revealed self-sacrifice. Theyhumbled themselves, but God is always consistent and does not put up God did not notice. In other words, the people with spiritual hypocrisy in His people. Explain: were doing those things not because they were Whether or not we categorize all humans as right or godly but in order for God to notice hypocrites, we can agree that we all fall short of and respond. In fact, they felt that God owed God’s expectations. In this session we will see them something in return. Of course, the God how God graciously revealed His expectations to of Israel has never operated this way and had His people, letting them know when they were warned Israel of this. (See Deut. 12.) The point falling short. of fasting and acts of repentance is to admit that God is righteous and to draw closer to Him through seeking forgiveness. EXPLORE THE TEXT ANALYZE: Invite volunteers to note which INTRODUCE: Call attention to the outline verses indicate the people’s religious behaviors on page 9. You may also refer to Pack Item 2 had selfish motives. Explain:Fasting was meant (Outline of Isaiah). Point to the eighth and ninth to symbolize humility and dependence on God, sections. Explain that section eight revealed but the people’s hearts didn’t correspond to the how God planned to bring peace to His people. ritual actions. Note that this session transitions into section

154 EXPLORE THE BIBLE © 2020 LifeWay Christian Resources PROBE: Could someone be worshiping people would take place. The festering wounds hypocritically and not realize it? Guide the of sin that refused to heal would finally heal group to consider the relationship between in a permanent way (1:6). Third, righteousness heart condition, ritual actions, and works or would go before the people. Their relationship deeds. Supplement discussion with reading with God would be restored. This idea is James 2:14-26. confirmed with a fourth change, namely that the glory of the Lord would be their rear ASK: Why was it important for Isaiah to guard. Rear guard was a military term for a define reality? What were the dangers of group of soldiers that stood guard behind the failing to give them an accurate picture army, protecting it from enemy attack. In this of what was happening? Guide the group in metaphor, then, God’s own glory and presence understanding the consequences of hypocritical served to protect and hem in His people. God’s worship. Ask: Why are insincere acts of presence would protect the people from behind worship offensive to God? How does and would be before them as well. When these ritual worship apart from obedience leave changes took place in the hearts and attitudes worshipers empty and disillusioned? (p. 103) of the people, the Lord would answer them READ: Invite a volunteer to read when they call. Isaiah 58:6-10, directing the group to pay CROSS-REFERENCE: Guide the group in attention to how Isaiah defines true worship. completing the Bible Skill (p. 106) to better understand what God expected of His people. • (58:7) Instead of denying themselves food, Divide the group into teams with one team God preferred that His people make sure researching Old Testament references and the others have enough to eat. Additionally, the other team studying New Testament references. people were told to bring the homeless poor Invite a representative from each team to into your house. This statement was meant summarize their conclusions. Emphasize that to encourage the people to make sure the commands to serve others are seen throughout poor and needy had their basic needs met, God’s Word. including shelter. • (58:8-9) Isaiah now related four changes CONSIDER: Read aloud Matthew 22:36-40. that would mark the Israelites if they turned Ask: Can we love God without loving others, from oppressing others. First, their light and can we love others without loving would appear like the dawn. Isaiah used this God? Lead the group in understanding how a metaphor of light before, and it heralded clear right relationship with God necessitates that we vision on the part of the people. They could love others but also that the starting point of not see what God truly wanted and therefore truly loving others is having a real relationship walked in darkness (9:2). When they changed with God. their ways, however, they would see the proper EXAMINE: Direct attention to verses 8-10. path with clarity. Second, the healing of the Encourage the group to examine whether these

155 © 2020 LifeWay Christian Resources verses lay out a promise of reward for right living ASK: How do these verses demonstrate how or describe the direct results of right living. God can change a life or situation in ruin into Consider the possibility that the verses describe something beautiful? (p. 103) both. Focus on the use of “light” in these verses, pointing to both God’s presence as light and the SUMMARIZE AND CHALLENGE believer’s witness as light. REVIEW: Call attention to the summary CONSIDER: Isaiah described true fasting as statements under Apply the Text (p. 104). Invite caring for others. Does God still care about group members to spend time in silent prayer, physical fasting and other rituals? What asking God to reveal any areas of hypocrisy about baptism and the Lord’s supper? or disobedience in their lives related to these Reiterate the importance of the heart attitude statements. Challenge them to consider one step behind the actions. Call for volunteers to they can take toward rectifying any disobedience share their own experiences with fasting or this week. Encourage them to make notes in the other rituals. margin of their study guides, assuring them they will not be asked to share. READ: Direct a volunteer to read aloud Isaiah 58:11-12, encouraging the group to RESPOND: Lead a discussion of the first consider how the imagery would have resonated question set under Apply the Text on page 104: As with people who were living in a desert a group, identify needs in your community. environment. Which need can your group meet? Record the next action steps required for your group to meet • (58:11) The image here applies to the people that identified need. You may choose to lead them themselves, as well as being a reflection of to respond silently, challenging them to revisit the covenant promises of giving a fruitful this section later in the week. land to Abraham. The idea is twofold. First, instead of being spiritually dead, God’s people PRAY: Conclude the group time with prayer, would be alive and fruitful. Second, God would praising God for His justice and mercy. Ask for restore that which was lost long ago in the open hearts to listen when He convicts of sin and garden of Eden. hypocrisy. STUDY: Call on the group to silently read the paragraphs in the Day 5 Daily Exploration (p. 107). AFTER THE SESSION CHALLENGE: Point out that verse 11 is the Reinforce the session by inviting leaders in the memory verse for the week. Guide the group to group to plan a service project that the group can locate this verse on Pack Item 8 complete together. Consider Matthew 25:35-40 as (Handout: Memory Verses Bookmark). Encourage you select a project. Encourage volunteers to take them to memorize verse 11 this week. responsibility for organizing the project.

FOCUS ATTENTION CLARIFY: Call attention to the Key Doctrine BEGIN: As the group arrives, direct them to (Last Things, p. 111). Emphasize that God has share with a partner their responses to the a plan for bringing the world to its appropriate following question: When have you worked end, and He has given us glimpses of that plan in through a challenging situation by keeping His Word. your focus on the end goal? After most have ASK: How does having hope for a greater arrived, share your response to the question. future give people strength in the present? Invite volunteers to share their responses as well. READ: Call for a volunteer to read aloud TRANSITION: Read the first paragraph on Isaiah 65:17-20, as the group notes who rejoices page 109 to help the group turn their focus to the and the reasons Isaiah gave for the rejoicing. ultimate goal: eternity with God. Challenge them to consider how their views of eternity line up • (65:18) Isaiah’s audience at the time and those with Isaiah’s portrayal of eternity. who would be in exile later could have joy in knowing that their present state was not the end. Like a child who anticipates Christmas, EXPLORE THE TEXT the people could be eager with anticipation INTRODUCE: Distribute copies of Pack about what God will one day accomplish. Item 9 (Handout: Isaiah’s Messianic Prophecies) Because God’s word is beyond question, the to anyone who doesn’t have a copy. Call on group people were commanded to rejoice even before members to locate the final entry in the chart: it happened. God did not only command the “Isaiah 65:17-25,” referring to “a new heaven people to rejoice; He told them to embody joy. and a new earth.” Direct volunteers to read the In the past, Isaiah noted, the people were to be corresponding passages aloud. Use information a light to the nations and draw those nations from the last paragraph of Understand the to them, but they had failed (42:5-9). The Context (p. 109) to introduce the idea of a new description of the people and their dwelling heaven and a new earth as the eternal destination place as a source of joy, however, illustrates for those who trust in God. Emphasize that this a correction to this failure. The people of God is considered part of the messianic prophecies would finally be the example and beacon of because Jesus’ life and death are vital to the God’s goodness that they should have been restoration of creation. all along.

157 © 2020 LifeWay Christian Resources RESPOND: Invite volunteers to highlight the they benefited from the houses built by the element in the passage that stands out most to Canaanites and moved into them. (See Deut. them. Allow them to explain. 6:10-19.) Likewise, when God sent the people of Israel and Judah into exile, other foreign EXAMINE: Distribute paper and pencils. Call on peoples settled the land and moved into the the group to make two columns. On the left-hand houses of the Israelites. In this context, the side, direct them to list the things God says will loss of one’s physical home was an image no longer happen in the new heaven and new of the judgment of God because of sinful earth. On the right-hand side, direct them to list behavior. Thus, God was promising that once things that God says will be new. Encourage them He makes the new creation, such judgment to discuss their lists with a partner, considering will not occur again. In a similar way, never how these items will lead to rejoicing in the again would the fruit of the people’s labor go to future and how these can be a cause of joy now. someone else. As with the previous examples, ASK: How does God’s promise to no longer this is primarily symbolic of the reversal of remember the consequence of sin define the curse. Yet, neither should we see this as this new creation? Emphasize the joy found in strictly metaphor. The new creation is depicted response to God’s promise that believers will no here as creation without blemish, and this longer remember sin or its consequences. certainly includes the physical realities of home and productive labor. DISCUSS: Guide the group in considering the EXAMINE: Direct the group back to the paper implications of the new heavens and new earth as utilized in the previous section of verses. Invite more than just a place for our joy but also a place them to continue this activity, listing items in that brings joy to God. Emphasize: No doubt, when the left-hand column that will no longer exist God creates a new heaven and new earth it will in the new creation and listing new promises in be good, but the object of His greatest delight will the right-hand column. Invite volunteers to share be His holy people who reside there. Ask: What their lists and discuss the type of prosperity do God’s plans for His people in the future experienced in the new creation. Lead them to reveal about His disposition toward His consider how this impacts their response to people? (p. 111) current blessings and current struggles. EXPLAIN: While some interpret these verses DISCUSS: Guide the group in understanding the literally and others symbolically, the main physical nature of the new creation. Emphasize emphasis is on God’s blessing of His people. that just as man was originally created to work in READ: Direct someone to read Isaiah 65:21- the garden of Eden, we can expect to continue to 23, encouraging the group to pay attention to the work in the new creation. physical nature of the new creation. READ: As you read aloud Isaiah 65:24-25, • (65:21-22) When the Israelites conquered the encourage the group to look for indicators promised land and removed the Canaanites, of peace.

158 EXPLORE THE BIBLE © 2020 LifeWay Christian Resources • (65:25) As Isaiah continued his description of SUMMARIZE AND CHALLENGE the new creation, he stated that the wolf and REVIEW: Call attention to the summary the lamb shall graze together; the lion shall statements under Apply the Text (p. 112). Ask: eat straw. This image is primarily a metaphor. How should the blessings God has in store The main point is that the sources of danger for His people affect how they live today? for both man and beast will present no danger (p. 112) Direct the group to answer the question in the future creation. The world of sin will based on each of the summary statements (the be transformed to a world of peace. The last blessings of hope, confidence in Christ, and part of verse 25 takes us back to the garden of expectation of His return). Encourage discussion Eden once again. Isaiah stated that dust shall of how each of these future blessings has a be the serpent’s food—a citation of Genesis different impact on our current lives. 3:14. This picture, then, reveals a different scenario than the one that played out in the RESPOND: Prior to group time, select one of the garden. The serpent will remain cursed. This question sets under Apply the Text (p. 112). Lead time the people will not succumb to sin. This the group to respond silently, challenging them to time they will remain true to God. Never again revisit this section later in the week. will the serpent (revealed to be the devil in REFLECT: Use Pack Item 3 (Poster: Themes of Rev. 12:9; 20:2) be successful in bringing death Isaiah) as a guide to review this study on Isaiah. into the world. The people will live in God’s Call for volunteers to share highlights from the kingdom in the new creation, and this peaceful study. Ask: How has your understanding state will last forever. of trusting God changed as a result of EXAMINE: Direct the group to add to their this study? columns items listed that no longer exist in the new creation and the promises of new creation. PRAY: Conclude the group time with prayer, This time call for the group to discuss ways that asking God to help remind the group of how their the promises of God point to peace. Focus on future impacts the present. peace with God, peace with each other, and peace with creation. AFTER THE SESSION ASK: How does this differ from God’s Reinforce the session by scheduling a Christmas response to the people in Isaiah 58, which gathering to celebrate the birth of Jesus and we studied last session? Guide the group in the impact His life and death made on the past, understanding the peace believers will experience present, and future. Consider enlisting volunteers in relationship with the Creator in the new heaven to create decorations using Joy, Prosperity, and and new earth. Encourage them to consider how Peace as a theme for your gathering. Remind the this promise of future peace can impact their group of the messianic prophecies, and invite them current relationships. to look at these in December when the group will study the Gospel of Luke.

These items are available in theExplore the Bible: Leader Pack (see goExploreTheBible.com) or you can use these descriptions to create your own..

Item 1: Sessions 1-13 Item 3: Sessions 1,4,9,13 Map: Prophets of the Eighth Century Poster: Themes of Isaiah Use the map on page 155 or locate a map Create a poster that lists the following in a Bible atlas that shows the locations of themes from Isaiah: Israel during the eighth century. Note that • The Holiness of God the land of the Chaldeans was southern • Trust and Confidence Babylon where the Tigris River and • God Versus the Idols Euphrates River meet, which is at the tip of • Sin and Punishment the Persian Gulf in southern Iraq today. • God, the Sovereign Lord of History • Salvation of Our God Prophets of the Eighth Century

“Prophets of the Eighth Century” is adapted from the Holman Bible Atlas (Nashville: Holman Reference, 2014), 72. Used by permission. • Faith in God Is True Security • Messiah and Suffering Servant

Item 4: Sessions 8,9 Poster: Primary Idols in the Old Testament Use a Bible dictionary to create a poster that lists the primary idols at the time of Isaiah (Ashtoreth, Bel/Marduk, Baal, Chemosh,

ITEM 1 Explore the Bible Adult Leader Pack, Fall 2020 • Suggested Use: Sessions 1-13 • © Copyright 2020 LifeWay Christian Resources Dagon, Molech, and Nebo) and Scripture Explore the Bible: Leader Pack Sample references related to each.

Item 2: Sessions 1-13 Pack Item 5: Sessions 4,8 Outline of Isaiah Poster: Names of God in Isaiah Refer to the outline for Isaiah in the Use a Bible concordance to create a poster of CSB Study Bible. the names of God in Isaiah.

Pack Item 6: Session 6 Key Verse: Isaiah 30:18 Create a poster that lists Isaiah 30:18: “Therefore the Lord is waiting to show you mercy, and is rising up to show you compassion, for the Lord is a just God. All who wait patiently for him are happy.”

160 EXPLORE THE BIBLE © 2020 LifeWay Christian Resources Pack Item 7: Sessions 2,8 Pack Item 10: Sessions 3,6,7 Handout: Isaiah Time Line Handout: The Kings Isaiah Served Locate a study Bible with a time line of the Create a handout that explains the kings major people and events leading up to and Isaiah served: Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and during Isaiah’s life (from 750 BC–500 BC). Hezekiah. Use it as a reference during this study. Pack Item 11: Session 9 Pack Item 8: Sessions 1-13 Handout: Primary Idols in the Handout: Memory Verses Bookmark Old Testament Make a list of these suggested memory Create a handout for your group that verses to distribute to your group: coordinates with Pack Item 4 and further • Isaiah 1:18 explains the idols during the time of Isaiah • Isaiah 6:8 (Ashtoreth, Bel/Marduk, Baal, Chemosh, • Isaiah 7:14 Dagon, Molech, and Nebo) and the meaning • Isaiah 14:24 behind fearing God. • Isaiah 25:8 • Isaiah 30:18 Pack Item 12: Session 7 • Isaiah 37:35 Handout: J udah’s Eighth-Century Neighbors • Isaiah 40:31 Use a Bible dictionary to create a handout • Isaiah 46:4 that explains the rulers and significance of • Isaiah 49:13 the countries surrounding Judah during the • Isaiah 53:5 eighth century. • Isaiah 58:11 • Isaiah 65:17 Pack Item 13: Session 11 Handout: Isaiah 53 in the New Testament Pack Item 9: Sessions 3,5,10,11,13 Handout: Isaiah’s Messianic Prophecies Create a handout that lists the New Testament references to Isaiah 53. Use a Bible dictionary or handbook to create a handout that discusses Isaiah’s messianic Pack Item 14: Sessions 3,4,8 prophecies and some of their corresponding Handout: Names of God in Isaiah New Testament fulfillments. Use a Bible commentary to create a handout of the names of God in Isaiah.

LUKE 1–9

Session 1 ...... Planned • Luke 1:13-25

Session 2 ...... Conceived • Luke 1:26-38

Session 3 ...... Proclaimed • Luke 2:4-19

Session 4 ...... Anticipated • Luke 2:25-38

Session 5 ...... Matured • Luke 2:41-52

Session 6 ...... Prepared • Luke 3:7-18

Session 7 ...... Compassionate • Luke 6:27-38

Session 8 ...... Rejected • Luke 4:16-30

Session 9 ...... Followed • Luke 5:4-11,27-32

Session 10 ...... Forgives • Luke 5:17-26

Session 11 ...... Reigns • Luke 6:1-11

Session 12 ...... Loved • Luke 7:40-50

Session 13 ...... Unashamed • Luke 9:18-27

35 E 36 E Sidon ARAM A b I A ana R C Damascus . I N Mt. Hermon E . i R ar R. O n rp Lita ha H P Tyre P

0 10 20 30 Miles Dan

0 10 20 30 Kilometers Kedesh Hazor 33 N 33 N Acco MEDITERRANEAN Sea of Gath- Galilee Ashtaroth SEA Mt. Carmel hepher R uk . Dor rm Mt. Tabor Ya Megiddo

Beth-shan

Hosea’s marriage portrays .

Abel-meholah R Israel’s faithlessness

to Yahweh; predicts n

ISRAEL a Tishbe d

Assyria will destroy Israel Samaria r

o Mt. Ebal J Jabbok R. AMMON Mt. Gerizim Amos denounces the social sins Joppa Hosea’s of Israel and warns of God’s homeland? Shiloh impending judgment 32 N Bethel 32 N Micah condemns corrupt Mizpah leaders in Jerusalem Gilgal Rabbah Ramah (Amman) Anathoth Elkosh Medeba Ashdod Jerusalem Azekah Ashkelon Tekoa Isaiah advises A h I a Ahaz and Hezekiah T l Moresheth- S e Amos’s in attack against I h gath IL p homeland Jerusalem Gaza H e Lachish Hebron P h S Arnon R. Gerar JUDAHEn-gedi DEAD N SEA Raphia .

B Arad MOAB e s o Beersheba r b e Kir-hareseth g e

Z N W ered . R. e h l-A 31 N ris a h Tamar “ Prophets of the Eighth Century” is adapted from the Holman b EDOM Bible Atlas (Nashville: Holman Reference, 2014), 72. a Used by permission. r 34 E 35 E 36 E © 2020 LifeWay Christian ResourcesA EXPLORE THE BIBLE • ADULTS ISAIAH DAILY DISCIPLESHIP GUIDE • FALL 2020 Resources Christian LifeWay 2020 ©

FALL 2020

find reasonto hope in the everlasting power and glory of God. goExploreTheBible.com Isaiah most is one majestic of the Bible’s books, and in studying it we too will continue his mission when it would otherwise have been completely distasteful. that God was working toward the redemption of His people gave Isaiah hopeto judgment by God. But he also exulted saving in God’s work. The knowledge for his people. He longed for their redemption and hurt at the prospect of their Isaiah was not a mere delivery person giving someone a certified He felt letter. Yet many do not understandYet the full scope of what it meant be prophet. to God’s This is due, inpart, the to fact that the New quotes Testament Isaiah extensively. If there is one prophetic book people are familiar with, it is the Book of Isaiah. ISAIAH